Following the ruling from FIFA on the Teboho Mokoena saga, the SA sports minister Gayton McKenzie and SAFA have issued official statements that address the verdict and its implications.
The source of the controversy was Bafana’s 2-0 triumph over Lesotho in March 2025 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification encounter. Mokoena was featured in the lineup despite allegedly being under an automatic one-match ban, incurred after accumulating two yellow cards in previous qualifiers [against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024].
This administrative lapse ignited a firestorm, triggering an official probe by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. The action followed a formal complaint and request for intervention from the Lesotho Football Association [LFA] and garnered keen interest from other Group C competitors, notably Nigeria.
As a result of the finding, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Monday ruled that Bafana forfeited the game, revising the final score to a 3-0 defeat against Bafana Bafana. Beyond the loss of vital three points, SAFA has been mandated to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 [roughly R216,000] to FIFA. The central figure in the error, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, has also been issued a warning.
‘DEEPLY REGRETTABLE’: SPORTS MINISTER VOWS INVESTIGATION AFTER BAFANA SANCTION
Gayton McKenzie, the SA Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, released a forceful statement following the confirmation of FIFA’s decision to sanction Bafana Bafana. The ruling was described by the minister as “deeply regrettable” and a source of “embarrassment to our nation.”
While accepting the sanction and thanking FIFA for their swift action, the minister acknowledged that the situation has brought the country into disrepute and vowed to take full responsibility for addressing the failures that led to the breach.
In addition, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture [DSAC] led by McKenzie, confirmed it will launch a thorough investigation into the “incompetence” that resulted in the sanction, with a comprehensive report promised to the public to prevent any recurrence of the issue.
“We acknowledge that this situation has brought South Africa into disrepute, and we must take full responsibility for addressing it. We thank FIFA for swift action and not making us wonder and wait in agony about our fate,” said the sports ministry.
“However, our immediate focus must be on rallying behind our national team as they prepare for their crucial final two matches in Durban and Mbombela. Bafana Bafana have played with immense heart and determination to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup next year, and they deserve our unwavering support. This deduction is but a bump in the road, and we believe that we remain firmly on track for qualification; our belief in the team’s ability to succeed is unshaken.”
SAFA REQUESTS WRITTEN VERDICT, VOWS APPEAL IN MOKOENA SAGA
SAFA expressed deep disappointment with this “unprecedented outcome,” noting that the judgment was delivered by a single-member panel without providing written reasons or allowing SAFA the opportunity to present its full legal arguments.
In spite of the setback and acknowledging the administrative oversight that led to the issue, SAFA has confirmed its intent to challenge the ruling. The association has formally requested the written reasons for the judgment and plans to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period.
“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome, noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the association an opportunity to present legal arguments,” reads the statement. “The association confirms that 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.
Bafana will conclude their qualifying campaign with two crucial fixtures: they face Zimbabwe on October 10th, followed four days later by a final match against Rwanda on October 14th.
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