Broos Declines To Comment On Mokoena Controversy
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday.
Sportswire reported on Tuesday that Mokoena should have been suspended for the Lesotho match due to accumulating two yellow cards.
These yellow cards were received against Benin in the first group qualifying match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in November 2023, and against Zimbabwe at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Consequently, he should have missed the Lesotho game, but he played.
Due to the short time frame, Lesotho did not detect the error and missed the deadline to lodge a protest. However, the Lesotho FA has reportedly filed a complaint with FIFA requesting an investigation.
When the South African Football Association (SAFA) became aware of the situation, Mokoena was removed from the starting lineup against Benin on Tuesday, after initially being included. This decision was made to avoid further complications should SAFA be found at fault.
Following Bafana’s 2-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday, Broos was questioned about the Mokoena issue but chose not to elaborate. “I’m not giving any comment about what you just said. We’ll wait and see,” Broos stated.
Past FIFA precedents suggest that Bafana Bafana could forfeit the three points from the Lesotho match.
The win against Benin propelled Bafana Bafana to 13 points in Group C after six matches, five points ahead of second-place Rwanda, who drew 1-1 with Lesotho on Tuesday. Nigeria also drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe at home on Tuesday, leaving star striker Victor Osimhen visibly frustrated with his teammates for conceding a late equalizer.
Broos acknowledged the initial challenges in assembling the team and expressed confidence that Bafana Bafana is close to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2002.
“We needed some time to make this group at the beginning,” said Broos, who led Bafana Bafana to a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in February last year, their first podium finish in 24 years.
“It wasn’t easy in my first year, it was a lot of problems. But we went on looking for the right players in the right positions and we found them.
“I think now we have a very good team. Even we can change players without dropping the level, that means we are strong.
“We have to be confident and not being afraid anymore of anyone else that plays against us. The only thing we have to do is to keep on hard working like we have done until now not thinking everything is already done.
“We are in a good position now and I think with the group that we have, if we don’t do stupid things, we are very close to the qualification for the World Cup.”
Only the group winners will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, while the four best-placed runners-up will have a second chance through the play-offs.
