President cyril ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa: President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to rally behind the country's national team as it prepares for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, with an opening match against Mexico on June 11.

In his weekly newsletter published on Monday, Ramaphosa said Bafana Bafana, the nickname of the country's men's football team, carries the hopes and aspirations of more than 62 million South Africans as it heads to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

The team departed for Mexico on Monday after all players and staff, except one assistant coach, received their visas.