After mobilising hundreds of people at the OR Tambo International Airport at 3am, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has praised Bafana Bafana for turning their fortunes around as he claims they were “real cows” before.
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The EFF showed up in their numbers at OR Tambo to welcome the national team following their bronze medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana received a heroes’ reception despite their awkward arrival in the early morning hours on Wednesday.
Malema told the media why it was important to come and show support to the national team regardless of the time.
The opposition party leader explained that South Africa’s performance at AFCON was worthy of the effort made by his organisation to show up at the airport, as the team demonstrated significant progress from their previous fortunes.
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“When you perform well, people will come out in their numbers,” Malema said in a video posted by football writer Marc Strydom on X.
“It is very rare and unheard of that here at Or Tambo you can have supporters at 3am. That’s a sign of commitment, love, and appreciation because you have done something good.
“Ordinarily, they [Bafana] were supposed to come in and just go home without anyone being here. It would be justifiable because it’s in the early hours of the morning.
“But when people have done well for the country and demonstrated their love, you return that love with love. They will sleep here at the airport to come receive you and show the whole world that they care.
“What made me come here was their performance…you must lose after putting up a fight.
“There was a point when Bafana Bafana were real cows, they could miss a stationed ball but this time we saw the highest form of football - which is internationally competitive and the standards are too high.
“So when people have lost after putting up a big fight, you have to go to them and say ‘Well done’ and they will perform much better hopefully in June.”
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One of the standout performers in the competition Teboho Mokoena, who was one of two Bafana inclusions in the official AFCON team of the tournament alongside Ronwen Williams, made an admission about the EFF chief.
“First of all, greetings to everyone. I am happy to see president Julius…he is my favourite president in the country.
“But thank you to everyone for coming, this is the proudest moment of my life, for my family, and everyone in here.
“Keep on supporting us, we will keep doing our best and we will make the country proud.”
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— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 14, 2024
Bafana Bafana player, Teboho Mokoena acknowledging the only President who came to welcome them home, CIC @Julius_S_Malema at the Bafana Bafana welcoming ceremony at OR Tambo international airport. pic.twitter.com/yc3W7PBGnc
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