Is Bafana's team manager a scapegoat?

When Bafana Bafana qualify for major tournaments, put together impressive unbeaten runs or produce memorable performances, the praise usually follows a familiar path.

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The players receive the applause. The coach receives the headlines. The football leadership often receives recognition for creating an environment in which success can be achieved. Yet when things go wrong, whether it is a disappointing result, a logistical hiccup or an administrative challenge, one name frequently finds itself thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons: Vincent Tseka. The SAFA team manager has once again found himself at the centre of debate following Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Before the team had even kicked a ball at the tournament, criticism emerged over visa-related challenges affecting members of the South African delegation. Then came the team’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening group match, and once again sections of the football fraternity pointed fingers at Tseka, with suggestions that Bafana’s preparations had not been adequate. But is the criticism entirely fair? The Siya crew has spent time speaking to individuals familiar with the situation, and while nobody is suggesting that any football administrator should be immune from scrutiny, there appears to be a growing feeling in some circles that Tseka has become a convenient target whenever problems arise around the national team. The question being asked is a simple one: Are South Africans sometimes too quick to blame the team manager without fully understanding how decisions are made and how responsibilities are shared within a national team setup?

What the Siya crew has been told...

The Siya crew has gathered information from sources who have followed events behind the scenes and who believe the narrative surrounding Vincent Tseka deserves a closer examination.