Bafana Face World Cup Qualifier Crisis After Mokoena Blunder

A Costly Oversight in Bafana’s World Cup Journey

South Africa’s hopes of booking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup have hit a potential stumbling block after a major administrative blunder involving star midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Despite carrying two yellow cards ahead of March’s qualifier against Lesotho, Mokoena was fielded in the starting line-up a decision that could now see Bafana Bafana docked points.

Nigeria, always fierce rivals of South Africa on the continental stage, wasted no time in lodging a complaint with FIFA. If the governing body rules in their favour, Bafana’s 2-0 win against Lesotho may be overturned into a 3-0 defeat.

“Somebody Dropped the Ball”

Former SAFA CEO and current Court of Arbitration for Sport attorney Raymond Hack did not hold back in his assessment. Speaking to local media, Hack said both Mokoena and the national team’s administrators had failed in their responsibility.

“It’s very clear when you’ve accumulated enough bookings, you cannot play. The onus is on the player and the association. Somebody dropped the ball,” Hack said. “By stepping onto that pitch, Mokoena brought the country into disrepute. It’s dishonest, and the rules are not ambiguous.”

His comments echo a broader frustration among fans who feel South African football is once again being let down by off-field mismanagement.

Social Media Reaction

The news sparked heated debate online, with supporters flooding X and Facebook. Many expressed anger that such a preventable mistake could derail Bafana’s qualification campaign.

One frustrated fan posted: “This is amateur hour. How can we still be making these mistakes at this level?” Another commented: “Nigeria won’t let this slide. We can’t afford to give away points because of poor admin.”

What It Means for Hugo Broos and Bafana

Despite the controversy, head coach Hugo Broos named Mokoena in his preliminary squad for the September qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho. Whether the midfielder survives the final cut remains uncertain.

Broos does have other options. Orlando Pirates duo Sipho Mbule and Thalente Mbatha, along with Bathusi Aubaas, are all capable of stepping into midfield. But the issue now extends beyond tactics it’s about salvaging trust, credibility and momentum in a fiercely competitive Group C.

A Familiar Pattern in South African Football

This incident isn’t just about one player. It speaks to a recurring problem in South African football where administrative lapses overshadow on-field performances. From fixture disputes in the Premier Soccer League to national team selection controversies, fans have often been left shaking their heads.

With the World Cup dream on the line, SAFA’s handling of this situation could define the trajectory of Bafana’s campaign. For a football nation hungry for success on the world stage, the margin for error has never been slimmer.

Source:Goal.com 

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