Cailynn Pretorius21 July 2025 | 16:48

'Phenomenal' South Africans band together to bring stranded football group back home

Thirty-four football players and four coaches from BT Football Academy were left stranded after taking part in an international tournament in Spain earlier in July.

'Phenomenal' South Africans band together to bring stranded football group back home

Picture: Pixabay.com

CAPE TOWN - There’s been a massive drive to bring a group of stranded children back home to Cape Town.

Thirty-four football players and four coaches from BT Football Academy were left stranded after taking part in an international tournament in Spain earlier in July.

But when it was time to return home, the group discovered that their flights home were never booked.

One group arrived back on Saturday, but 28 are now in Lisbon, Portugal.

With the help of donations, 11 players and one coach will arrive in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

Money-raising initiatives such as the Tracey Lange Cares have been a huge help.

KFM presenter, Tracey Lange, said that South Africans really came together to help bring them home.

"The people of South Africa have been incredible, not just the ones here at home but also the ones abroad who have reached friends and family in Portugal to ask and go assist. It's been phenomenal, really amazing."

Donation details can be found on the Primedia Plus website an APP.