Broos Confirms SAFA Appeal Over Zwane Three-Match World Cup Ban
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that the South African Football Association (SAFA) will appeal the three-match suspension handed to talismanic midfielder Themba Zwane following his red card against Mexico.
The veteran playmaker was sent off in the 84th minute of South Africa’s 2-0 FIFA World Cup opening defeat on Thursday for an alleged elbow on Mexican prodigy Gilberto Mora.
The incident occurred just moments after Zwane entered the pitch as a second-half substitute.
After playing a quick one-two, the Mamelodi Sundowns captain attempted to spin past Mora, who deliberately threw his body across to obstruct the South African.
While trying to break free, Zwane’s arm caught Mora in the face. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio subsequently dismissed Zwane after a direct intervention and review from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The sending-off capped a disastrous opening night for Bafana Bafana, who also saw midfielder Sphephelo Sithole red-carded early in the second half. Both players are now ruled out of Thursday’s critical Group A fixture against the Czech Republic at Atlanta Stadium.
However, a formal review by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee worsened Bafana’s predicament, slapping Zwane with an extended three-match ban. The ruling effectively sidelines him for the remainder of the group stage, including the final match against South Korea in Monterrey next week.
A baffled Hugo Broos slammed the severity of the sanction during Wednesday’s press conference, drawing a sharp contrast with how elite stars are treated on the global stage.
“We will appeal, yes,” Broos stated.
“First of all, the suspension is far too severe. I saw the situation where Themba got the red card, and I don’t even think it warranted a sending-off. The Mexican player blocked him. He wasn’t tracking the ball; he was holding Themba, and Themba merely tried to get away from him by putting his arm over his shoulder. That is all he did. He didn’t thrust his elbow.”
Broos, who represented Belgium at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, described the decision as harsh. He also referenced an incident involving Lionel Messi during Argentina’s opening match of the tournament, claiming that no VAR review was conducted and no red card was shown.
“When I see what happened with Messi, I completely disagree with this decision,” Broos added.
“There wasn’t even a VAR check on Messi, yet they intervened for us. Of course, I don’t want to see Messi get a red card because players like him belong on the pitch. I saw again yesterday what a wonderful player he is, but what is the difference? I am incredibly frustrated that Themba has been hit with three games.”
SAFA legal officials are expected to lodge the formal appeal within the next 24 hours in a desperate bid to reduce the suspension and salvage Zwane’s World Cup campaign.
