Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has called on the South African Football federation (SAFA) to make more efforts into bringing supporters to Bafana matches.
South Africa are set to play Eswatini and Ivory Coast as part of the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be played in Ivory Coast next year and 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played in November.
South African spectators were embarrassingly out sang and numbered by opposition supporters at Orlando Stadium when Bafana took on DR Congo in September.
READ | 'A penalty should have been awarded' - Top ref issues verdict on Downs, Pirates MTN8 Final
In his call for a solution, the shot stopper has suggested more engagement with communities.
"Like I said before, It's not nice, we don't enjoy playing in front of empty stadiums. It doesin't give a good taste and we don't get a good vibe.
"But like I said in my previous press conference, maybe we need to do more, as the association, as the team.
"I can remember before, we used to go out to shopping malls, to schools and give back because now the fans also feel that there is no link between the two of us, they just see us on the field and that's it.
"So maybe we need to, so do more as the team, as the association to put us out there. We used to do those, those thing where we go around malls, signing autographs and getting to know each other on a personal level.
"It was a start you know, last month we went to a school in Soweto so hopefully we can do more to get more supporters behind us again."
Ay bandla…South African ???? fans currently outnumbered at Orlando Stadium as the National anthems are sang??The Democratic Congolese are in full voice????17:00 Bafana take on DRC pic.twitter.com/cj6zdDnytR
— Siya Ndlela (@siya_ndlela1) September 12, 2023
Meanwhile, SAFA has appointed Errol Madlala as Commercial Director.
"I am humbled to join the South African Football Association having worked with them on and off from a sponsor to consultant, and now with the responsibility of enhancing the commercialisation as well as marketing efforts of this giant in the South African sports landscape," Madlala told SAFA media on his appointment.
Bafana take on Eswatini on Friday at FNB Stadium. Kick-off is at 18:00.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!