Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reacted to FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points for illegally fielding Teboho Mokoena during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Mokoena played during Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March 2025 despite allegedly being under an automatic one-match ban.
In a decision officially communicated on Monday, 29 September, South Africa has forfeited their 2-0 win over neighbours Lesotho. The revised final score after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee probe resulted in a 3-0 defeat against South Africa.
As it stands, Bafana Bafana have now dropped to second in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers with two matches remaining/
HUGO BROOS BREAKS HIS SILENCE AFTER DECISION TO DOCK SOUTH AFRICA POINTS
“People need to stop looking for who is responsible. We all know that we made a mistake,” said Broos during the squad announcement for Bafana’s last two matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers.
“But first, between the first yellow of Teboho [Mokoena] and the Lesotho game. There was a 16-month period. In between that period, we had the AFCON, we played AFCON qualifiers, and we played the World Cup qualifiers.”
BAFANA BAFANA COACH TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TEBOHO MOKOENA BLUNDER
“I see the minister [Gayton McKenzie] wants to investigate who is responsible, but it’s clear, I am responsible,” said Broos.
“I am the coach, I had to know that this guy had two yellow cards. My technical staff is responsible because they didn’t tell me that Teboho has two yellow cards. The team manager [ Vincent Tseka] is responsible because he didn’t follow up.
“The player is responsible because he didn’t say anything to us, and the SAFA administration is responsible. So stop with it. Just focus on the two games remaining now and support us. We will do everything to win these games, and for me, it’s an extra motivation. We will fight like Lions.”
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