Bafana Bafana points deduction rocks South Africa as Minister vows Investigation as World Cup dream faces threat
The South African national football team, Bafana Bafana, has been dealt a severe blow to its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes after the world football governing body FIFA docked the team three points for fielding an ineligible player.
See what Nigerian football fans are saying about qualification for the World Cup after South Africa had 3 points deducted by FIFA.
The decision, announced on Monday, has sparked outrage, with the country’s Sports Minister, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, labelling the incident an “embarrassment to our nation and the game of football.”
What happened
The controversy centres on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the Group C qualifier against Lesotho on March 21, a match Bafana initially won 2-0.
Mokoena should have been serving a suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in earlier group stage matches.
FIFA’s ruling overturned the result, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory, which saw South Africa’s points total drop from 17 to 14.
What Minister McKenzie said
In a strongly-worded statement, Minister McKenzie condemned the error and promised immediate action.
“This development is deeply regrettable and has brought embarrassment to our nation and the game of football,” McKenzie said.
He continued, “The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) will lead a thorough investigation into the incompetence that led to this sanction. We are committed to uncovering the root causes of this failure and ensuring accountability.”
The Minister confirmed that a comprehensive report would be compiled and shared with the public to provide clarity and prevent any recurrence of such failures.
Despite the setback, Minister McKenzie issued a rallying cry to the nation, urging a united front ahead of Bafana Bafana’s two final and now-critical games.
“For now, we urge all South Africans to unite in support of Bafana Bafana… Together, we can and must carry them on our shoulders to the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026,” he implored.
Meanwhile, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced its intention to formally appeal FIFA’s disciplinary committee decision, suggesting the outcome of the group may yet hang in the balance.
Group C Standings drastically altered.
The three-point deduction has significantly rearranged the standings in the tightly contested CAF Group C qualifiers, intensifying the race for the single automatic qualification spot for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- Benin Republic 14
- Bafana Bafana (South Africa) 14
- Super Eagles (Nigeria) 11
- Rwanda 11
The Benin Republic now sits atop the group, ahead of Bafana Bafana on goal difference, while the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Rwanda remain within striking distance on 11 points each with two games left to play.