BAFANA Bafana has landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, 14 February.
The airport was packed with fans, showering the soccer stars who made Mzansi proud at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with love.
The Gautrain provided free train rides for Bafana Bafana supporters travelling to and from the airport to welcome the Afcon bronze medalist back home.
The national football squad landed at 4am and a welcome event will be held outside the arrival gates at the airport.
A press conference will be held at the Airport Media Centre after the event after placing third in the AFCON.
Free train rides are available from all Gautrain stations for anybody wearing Bafana Bafana attire or colours, as well as those carrying a South African flag or merchandise without luggage until 9am.
They got a bronze medal after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in Saturday's third-place playoff in Abidjan on 10 February.
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Bafana got the Afcon Fair Play Award for their outstanding performance in the competition.
"As Gautrain, we join the nation in congratulating Bafana Bafana for flying the South African flag high during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. We want South Africans to board the Gautrain in large numbers. Let us greet our national team in true South African flair," said Tshepo Kgobe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency.
Senior executive communications manager Albi Modise said there were terms and conditions which would apply to free riders and free train service will operate from all Gautrain stops.
"The free train ride is only available to anyone wearing Bafana Bafana attire or colours, as well as those carrying a South African flag or merchandise without luggage," said Modise.
She said the trains left from Hatfield at 5.24am, Pretoria at 5.32am, Centurion at 5.39am, Midrand at 5.43am, Rhodesfield at 5.33am, Marlboro at 5.25am, Sandton at 5.21am, Rosebank at 5.33am and Park Station at 5.29am.
Modise further said that the free train to the airport only runs until 7am.
When returning from the airport, the complimentary service is only available between 6.30am and 9.30am.
"Free travel is confined to train service and excludes Gautrain buses," she said.
She said standard restrictions will apply, which include no eating or drinking on the train.
