First group of teens stranded in Portugal to arrive in CT

CAPE TOWN - With return tickets tightly secured, the first group of teens who were stranded in Portugal is expected to arrive in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon.  

Anxious but relieved parents will eagerly await their children’s return at Cape Town International Airport, finally ending their extended separation. 

The BT Football Academy players and coaches were left with no return tickets after partaking in an international football tournament in Spain.

One of the BT Football Academy coaches said the initial flight plans raised concerns among parents when they were told the group would be splitting up during the trip.

Coach Jesse Julius said they are relieved to be headed home after the generosity of South Africans.

He said a second group will arrive on Wednesday night.

“On the same morning that we had to depart, we were told that we are flying in two groups. So, the one group would fly earlier; that would be myself and another coach, which is coach Clayton, together with some kids. We would use Qatar airlines, and we would fly into Doha and then from Doha to Madrid.”