*Lesotho Jubilant Over Bafana’s Fate
After a seeming silence over yesterday’s FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s sanctions which,among others, docked three points from her national football team, Bafana Bafana, for fielding an ineligible player in their preliminary World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, the South African government today rose up in apparent fury.
Looking inwards for culprits and reasons, the government said it would beam a thorough searchlight on the incompetence in the South African Football Association (SAFA) which led to FIFA’s action suddenly imperiling the country’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said his department (Ministry) will institute a deep investigation into what really happened in SAFA.
Though he did not say, but indications are that heads may roll at the end of the probe.
In the particular match in Polokwane, Lesotho, Bafana Bafana fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who should have been suspended due to accumulating two yellow cards in previous Group C qualifiers.
With a 3-0 win now awarded to Lesotho by FIFA, 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 a statement, McKenzie promised that his department will get to the bottom of the matter.
“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,” he said.
McKenzie, nonetheless, urged South Africans to support Bafana in their remaining two qualifying matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in Durban and Mbombela next month, where they have to win to stand a chance of qualifying.
“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,” the Minister rallied.
SAFA To Appeal FIFA Decision
But, SAFA said it will appeal the FIFA decision.
“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,” the body stated.
Lesotho FA Jubilant Over Mokoena
Meanwhile, Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) celebrated the FIFA axe, saying it has been vindicated.
LeFA Secretary, Mokhosi Mohapi, said that they welcomed the ruling.
“FIFA has done well to respect its own regulations,” Mohapi said.
“We had always maintained that our pursuit of this case had nothing to do with South Africa. Lesotho is a bona fide member of FIFA and we played the rightful role to ensure the football rules are respected. We are happy to have been vindicated,” he added.
Lesotho moved to nine points after being awarded a 3-0 win,with Benin now in pole position.
All these mean that if Benin win her remaining two matches, she will seal the automatic ticket to the World Cup.
However, to do that, they will have to beat a desperate-to-qualify Super Eagles who are third on the log. The match is scheduled for 14 October, 2025.
Bafana Bafana are not totally out of it as they still have a chance if they beat already-eliminated Zimbabwe and second-place hopefuls Rwanda next month, and Benin lose to Super Eagles.
Pressure on FIFA had been mounting in the months before Monday’s ruling and Mohapi said while justice delayed is not justice denied, he would have preferred that the sanction be made earlier.
“We would have loved to have played the last matches earlier this month with the case finalised already. We would have approached the games differently, knowing we had nine points. But the group is now interesting because four of the five teams all have a chance going into the last matches,” Mohapi said.
Mohapi reiterated he had no hard feelings towards Bafana Bafana.
“If Bafana eventually make it as the group winners, I will buy their shirt and support them at the World Cup because they would have earned their place. Mr [Hugo] Broos (Bafana manager) should know I was not talking nonsense when I said SA has a case to answer. I now feel fulfilled,” he said.
PHOTO CAPTION: South Africa Sports Minister McKenzie.
