Broos Reacts After FIFA Deducts Bafana Points In World Cup Qualifiers
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted he felt “down” after FIFA’s ruling to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers clash against Lesotho in March.
FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 victory, with Bafana Bafana losing the points they had collected, a decision that has now shaken up Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers. The ruling means Benin move to the top of the table on goal difference, with South Africa slipping from first place.
Broos Refuses to Point Fingers
Despite the setback, Broos insists no one is to blame for the error, pointing to the lengthy gap between matches as a factor in the oversight.
“I was down for an hour and then I said, ‘you know what, we have to go for it.’ None should be blamed at this point. He got the first yellow card against Benin in November when the qualifiers began and the next was against Zimbabwe,” Broos explained.
“I’m responsible, I’m the coach, I didn’t know that this guy had three yellow cards. My technical staff is responsible because they didn’t know that Teboho had three yellow cards. The team manager [Vincent Tseka] is responsible, but he didn’t have the follow-up; the player is responsible, SAFA is responsible, we are all responsible.
“Stop with it, just focus on the two games that are coming up and support us like you did already, and we will see where this will take us. We will do everything to win those two games, and for me, this is an extra motivation. And I will try to put it in my players’ heads also because we will fight like lions.”
The coach stressed the focus now is on the crucial fixtures ahead.
Bafana Bafana’s Must-Win Matches
South Africa now face a defining period in their qualification campaign. They will face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October before clashing with Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium four days later.
Broos confirmed his latest squad selection was made with the urgency of the situation in mind.
“This is what it is. We have to go for it; we have no choice. Who said Benin can win both their matches? We have to go for it,” Broos declared.
Qualification Path for Bafana
In the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers, only group winners earn an automatic ticket to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The four best runners-up will advance to a playoff round for another chance at qualification.
