SOMEONE slept on duty at South African Football Association and this could come at a cost.
This follows yesterday’s ruling by FIFA to take action against the association and Tebogo Mokoena, that led to Bafana Bafana being docked all three-important points as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
Mokoena was not supposed to have played in the match against Lesotho, of which Bafana won 2-0 in March in Polokwane, this year, having being booked twice in other previous qualifier games.
SAFA was handed down a fine of R216 000 while Mokoena was issued with a warning, and the association can appeal the decision within 10 days.
A SAFA official who was ‘sleeping on duty’, should have alerted Mokoena and by all standards, the same Mokoena should have known as a seasoned campaigner.
In a statement yesterday the same SAFA said it will “appeal the decision”, a schoolboy error of highest degree, dom-kop! Disgust, if I may.
“As Safa we are deeply disappointed with the unprecedented outcome, noting it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons and without affording the association an opportunity to present legal arguments,” it said.
“The association confirms we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the Fifa appeals committee within the prescribed 10-day period under Fifa’s disciplinary rules.
“Despite the outcome, the association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign. 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.
“We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign.
“Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers.”
This means now Lesotho will be awarded a 3-0 points, meaning Bafana (who drop from 17 to 14 points and a +8 goal difference to +3) moved from the top of Group C to second place behind Benin (14 points, +4 difference).
In response, the Minister of sport Gayton McKenzie says his department will institute a thorough investigation into the incompetence at the South African Football Association (Safa) that led to this mess.
“As the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, I have taken note of the recent decision by FIFA to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana in the FIFA World Cup.
“We are committed to uncovering the root causes of the failure and ensuring accountability. A comprehensive report will be compiled and shared with the public to provide clarity on the matter and prevent future occurrences,” also calling for the fans to rally behind the team as they face both Zimbabwe and Rwanda, respectively in the WC qualifying matches.
“Let us get behind our boys in the critical games. Together we can and must carry them on our shoulders to the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026,” said the Minister.
Bafana face neighbours Zimbabwe in Durban next week Saturday, and Rwanda in Mbombela for the qualifiers.
Instead of wasting time and resources on appeal, rather focus on the team winning all remaining matches and FIRE, the so called official at once, if he/she hasn’t be fired!
Image supplied (Gatvol Minister of sport Gayton McKenzie says his department will institute a thorough investigation into the incompetence at the South African Football Association).
