NIGHTMARE: Group of South African children from Cape Town stranded in Spain after participation in the Donosti Cup 2025 - 'They still need help with food'

Parents of a group of children from Cape Town have been left in an anxious situation after their sons were stranded in Spain and Portugal after participating in the Donosti Cup 2025.

The children were on a soccer tour with BT Football Academy, and after their participation, their journey back home was hit with challenges. First, the children were stranded in Spain before they faced a similar situation in Lisbon, Portugal.

A grandmother of a 13-year-old from Kraaifontein explained how the organisation for their children to travel to Spain was done.

“Last year, they were chosen on merit to join the tour. They told us what it was going to cost, and we were given enough time to fundraise," the grandmother is quoted as saying by IOL.

"Each child had to pay R50,000, and they started paying in September last year. That was supposed to cover the flights, food, accommodation, and transport."

Cape Town-based Radio personality Tracey Lange, who has been involved in seeking public support for the return of the stranded children, delivered the latest reporting on how far efforts to return the kids have gone.

"We can confirm that we have managed to raise the funds to pay for all 28 flight tickets and, with the assistance of TAAG, have managed to secure seats on flights within the next few days. Everyone will be home by the end of the week," Lange said in a post on Facebook.

"Thank you to everyone that has assisted in making this possible. I will be sharing more details at a later stage to also share a special thanks to everybody."

"Just note that the team is still in Lisbon and will still need help with food and daily things. For those in Lisbon who are still willing to reach out and help, please continue to do so."

According to the organisers, the Donosti Cup is an international grassroots football tournament held annually in San Sebastian, Spain, during the first week of July.

Participating teams come from football clubs, football schools, technical academies, and educational centres. 

Since the parents are still in agony, their prayer is just one: that their kids will travel safely back home.

All eyes will be on how the government will handle the situation and whether any action will be taken against BT Football Academy.