South Africa squad departs for World Cup without assistant coach after US visa delay

JOHANNESBURG: (Jun 1) (AP) South Africa’s World Cup squad departed for the tournament a day late on Monday and left its assistant coach behind after problems securing travel visas for the United States.

South Africa plays co-host Mexico in the opening game of the World Cup on June 11 in Mexico City. It plays one of its group games in the U.S.

The team was due to depart on Sunday but that was delayed because it had not received visas for some players and staff members, the sports minister said.