South African Football Association Faces Backlash Over Administrative Lapse
In a public address that has sparked national concern, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has apologised for a serious administrative error that could jeopardise South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The apology comes in the wake of a ruling by FIFA, which imposed a three-point deduction on the national team, Bafana Bafana, after they fielded an ineligible player during a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.
Teboho Mokoena, who was supposed to serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards, was allowed to play in the match. South Africa won the game 2-0, but the victory was overturned following FIFA’s decision to penalise them for fielding Mokoena. As a result, Lesotho was awarded a 3-0 win, and South Africa’s points total dropped from 17 to 14, leaving them in second place in their qualification group.
In response to the sanctions, SAFA expressed its regret, acknowledging that the administrative oversight had disrupted the team’s momentum. The association assured the public of its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their push for World Cup qualification. “The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead,” a statement from SAFA read.
The statement continued, “We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign.”
South Africa now faces a tough road to qualification, with only two remaining matches—against Zimbabwe and Rwanda—standing between them and a potential spot in the 2026 World Cup. As a result of the penalty, the Benin Republic has leapfrogged South Africa in the standings and now leads the group on goal difference. The situation has placed immense pressure on Bafana Bafana, who must win both their remaining games to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In a further development, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, launched an investigation into the incident, citing the need for accountability. The minister condemned SAFA’s failure to ensure proper oversight and vowed that the body’s incompetence would not go unpunished. “The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will lead a thorough investigation into the incompetence that led to this sanction,” McKenzie stated. “We are committed to uncovering the root causes of this failure and ensuring accountability. A comprehensive report will be compiled and shared with the public to provide clarity on this matter and prevent future occurrences.”
SAFA, however, is not backing down. The association has announced plans to formally appeal the three-point deduction, and they are preparing to lodge the appeal with FIFA’s Appeals Committee within the next 10 days.
