South Africa Sports Minister, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has described Bafana Bafana’s points deduction by FIFA as an embarrassment to the country and world football.
FIFA announced on Monday that, as per their rules, they have awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win in the Group C qualifier that took place on March 21.
Bafana initially won the match 2-0, but fielded Mokoena, who was supposed to be suspended having picked up two yellow cards previously in the group stages.
Following the points deduction, Bafana drop to second position on 14 points while Benin Republic go top also on 14 points.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain in third place on 11 points, same point as Rwanda who are fourth on the standing.
McKenzie, in a statement, said his ministry will investigate the matter and those responsible will be held accountable.
“This development is deeply regrettable and has brought embarrassment to our nation and the game of football,” McKenzie said.
“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) will lead a thorough investigation into the incompetence that led to this sanction.
Also Read: 2026 WCQ: SAFA To Appeal FIFA’s Decision To Deduct Bafana Three Points
“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.
“For now, we urge all South Africans to unite in support of Bafana Bafana. Let us get behind our boys in these critical games. Together, we can and must carry them on our shoulders to the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026, and this moment must show the world that South Africans come together in moments of crisis.
“We must be the 12th man on the field for them in the last two games.”
Meanwhile, South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has said they will appeal the decision by FIFA.
By James Agberebi
4 Comments
Honestly this is very unreasonable for the South Africa fans and entire team to comprehend,
I really feel for them, considering how much effort they have put in their journey of qualification,
One idiot including the greedy Mokuena who knew he was yellow kept quiet as if the national team belongs to him alone,
Unnecessary mistakes,
You guys are lucky I am not a South African, Ogun for kill all those lazy idiots that refuses to do their work properly,
However Nigeria will definitely win the remaining two games, south Africa still have a chance.
Good luck to both teams,
Even gernot rohr may even take the lion share
I feel for the ineligible player in question.
A proposed SAFA defense by one of their countrymen (even though FIFA might not bulge) is this:
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“NOT the player’s responsibility
Teboho Mokoena received the first yellow card on the 18th of November 2023
Bafana Bafana then plays 13 games, (incl. an AFCON tournament).
7 months later.. Teboho Mokoena receives his second yellow card on the 11th of June 2024.
Bafana Bafana play another 8 games in AFCON qualification.
21st of March 2025 – Teboho Mokoena plays against Lesotho. (The game he was suppose to be suspended for.) 21 Bafana Bafana games and 19 months AFTER his first yellow card.
In the same period he played 84 games for Sundowns and picked up 24 yellow cards.”
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Too many games to keep in touch.
But Nigeria didn’t even capitalize on that anyway. If only eagles had “defied” the rugby pitch and showed more hunger to win.
It’s their loss
sly or wat?
Yuh be anoda craseman – yuh dey feel sorry for pesin wey dey eran more than yuh, yur papa and mama put together in wunu whole life an hin be south african wey be say if yur fada or moda or yuh or any of yur family need any medical help or any kind of helep dey wii turned yuh down, lynch and burn yuh and demand dat yuh must leave dier country but yuh are here mumuing yursel about feeling sorry for someone whu earns more than yur whole generation wii ever earn and whu hates yuh and yur fada and moda ba? – Yuh Nigerains are someting else I swear!!
Collins id or watin yuh dey cal yursel sef?
Sharap! Yuh are a very very Mumu man idiot- do yuh think that any South African will ever feel sorry for yuh even if yuh were set on fire?? Yuh pipo are just too stupid and I canot stand bastard ITK’s like yuh!
I am a naturalist Nigerian becos I naturalist from my country Ghana, but even I am stii more patrotic and wiser than a big fool like yuh.
I wish an am sure every Nigraeins wished de same that a pesin like yuh is not a Nigreains, we don’t need brainless goats like yuh calling yursel Nigraeins – it wii be best if yuh are South Africa or Zimbbwe or sonting like dat – what a sham dat hear in Nigreain we have to deal wit a real brainless werey like you, Kwaasiaaa!
Nonsense!