Sports minister incensed over Bafana points deduction
By Ed Emeanua
South African has decided to appeal FIFA hammering of Bafana with three points deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena on March 21 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
South African Football Association (SAFA) expressed being “deeply disappointed” at the decision they called “unprecedented,” in a statement posted on their website.
Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture of South Africa Gayton McKenzie, in a media response to the news, is vowing a “thorough investigation into the incompetence that led to this sanction.”
Midfielder Mokoena was played against Likuena in Polokwane in March instead of serving out his suspension for accumulated yellow cards. Bafana won 2-0 with Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams scoring, but the win has now been reserved with Lesotho winning 3-0 by forfeit, which is subject to appeal by SAFA.
SAFA has also been asked to pay CFA 10,000 in fine by FIFA for competition rules infringement. The sanction toppled Bafana atop CAF, FIFA World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) Group C due to following football’s governing body decision on Monday.
However, SAFA has now vowed to appeal the ruling, intending to know FIFA’s reasons for building their case within the 10-day window allowed.
Bafana is currently tied on points with Benin in Group C, but are only lying in second place on goal difference, making the remaining two games very crucial for most of the teams involved.
However, Bafana stand better chance to win the Group C as both of their two games left will take place in South Africa. On October 10 South Africa clashes with Zimbabwe.
Technically an away fixture for Bafana, the game is billed for Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa due to lack of approved grounds in Zimbabwe. South Africa will play their final WCQ game at home against Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on October 14.
Super Eagles who lie in third place on 11 points will be on the road to Lesotho on October 10, before clashing with Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Current Group leaders Benin, have a couple of the trickiest games of all. Gernot Rohr’s ‘Cheetahs’ face Rwanda in Kigali on October 10 followed by another harsh trip to face Nigeria on October 14.
