Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has responded to the controversy surrounding Teboho Mokoena’s two yellow cards in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ahead of the clash against Benin on Tuesday evening, concerns arose regarding Mokoena’s participation in the Lesotho tie despite carrying two yellow cards.
Mokoena was booked during Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Benin in their Group C opener in Durban on November 18, 2023, and again in the 3-1 win against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on June 11, 2024.
As a result, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfield grafter should have missed Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last Friday. Mokoena watched from the stands as Bafana beat Benin 2-0 in a crunch World Cup qualifier at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Tuesday.
Bafana maintained their lead in Group C with four games remaining. Second-half goals from Lyle Foster in the 52nd minute and Jayden Adams in the 84th minute secured the victory away from home.
Broos stated that he aimed to secure six points from the two matches against Lesotho and Benin, and his troops rose to the challenge.
WHAT WAS HUGO BROOS’S RESPONSE REGARDING TEBOHO MOKOENA?
As anticipated, Broos was asked if he knew that Nigeria and Lesotho were contemplating filing complaints concerning Mokoena. He responded in French, which was later translated: “I cannot comment on that at this point. It is an issue that will be resolved in the coming days, so I ask that you not expect any further information from me. No comment.”
Meanwhile, the Belgian mentor said the Benin victory was due to a thorough opposition analysis, and his players followed the instructions precisely. He credited Bafana analyst Sinesipho Mali for a job well done.
“We knew where we could be dangerous against Benin. They are a good team, but what we did very well today was to keep possession and wait for the right moments,” he said.
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