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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Julius Malema makes references to the Bafana of old</li><li>South Africa finished third in the 2023 Afcon </li><li>The Premier Soccer League returns this weekend</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'Bafana Bafana were like real cows, they could miss a stationed ball' - EFF leader Julius Malema

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema led the red beret to make an appearance at OR Tambo International Airport to extend a warm welcome to the national team following their remarkable bronze medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.Despite an awkward arrival in the early morning hours on Wednesday, Bafana Bafana received a heroic reception. Malema emphasized the importance of showing unwavering support to the national team, regardless of the early arrival as Bafana landed around 3 am.

TELL ME MORE

'Juju' highlighted that South Africa’s performance at Afcon was truly commendable, justifying the EFF’s presence at the airport. The team’s significant progress from their previous fortunes was evident, as they became the first South African men’s team to reach the semi-finals in 24 years during their campaign in Ivory Coast.This then led Malema to recall Bafana's worse days where the national team struggled to qualify for the Afcon as Bafana missed three of the last seven editions.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"It is very rare and unheard of that here at Or Tambo you can have supporters at 3 am. That’s a sign of commitment, love, and appreciation because you have done something good," Malema told reporters. "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. When you perform well, people will come out in their numbers."

WHAT MALEMA SAID

"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," said Malema."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."

AND WHAT MORE?

Bafana will now shift their focus to friendlies in March where they will take on Andorra and Algeria before playing in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in June against rivals Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, 20 of the 23 players from the Bafana Afcon squad are set to link up with their teammates in the PSL as the local league returns this weekend with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Orlando Pirates being the headline fixture this Saturday.

WHAT'S NEXT?

'Bafana Bafana were like real cows, they could miss a stationed ball' - EFF leader Julius Malema | Goal.com

Julius Malema has reacted to Bafana Bafana&apos;s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations achievement after South Africa finished third in Ivory Coast.

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