Broos accepts full responsibility for Mokoena saga

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has accepted full responsibility for the Teboho Mokoena saga.

But the 73-year-old Belgian mentor says he’s still confident South Africa will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup, despite the FIFA sanction that saw Bafana lose top spot in Group C to Benin.

FIFA sanctioned the national team for fielding the suspended Mokoena in a qualifier against Lesotho in March.

The sanction could still have dire consequences for Bafana Bafana. As a result, everyone is baying for the team manager’s blood. But Broos says the matter should now be put to rest.

The fact is, Mokoena received the first of his two yellow cards on 18 November 2023, and his second on 11 June the following year. Bafana played 21 matches in between, while Mokoena also made 84 appearances for his club in that period.

Broos accepted responsibility but also poured cold water on the idea of an investigation into the embarrassing incident.

“People must also stop now to look who is responsible for that we are all know that we made a mistake but first between the first yellow card of Tebogo and the match of Lesotho there were 16  months in the meanwhile during this period we played AFCON, you played qualifiers for the new AFCON and you played the World Cup. So, it may have not happened but it’s understandable. Who is responsible, and I see already the minister wants to investigate who is responsible well, it’s clear I’m responsible. I’m the coach, I have to know that this guy has two yellow cards. My technical staff is responsible because they did not tell me that Tebogo has two yellow cards. The team manager is responsible, but he didn’t have the follow-up, the player is responsible because he did not tell us anything, and then the administration of SAFA is responsible, so everybody knows who is responsible,” Broos says.

VIDEO | Bafana Coach Broos on the docking of 3 points over Mokoena saga

Despite the fact that Bafana Bafana now trail Benin by virtue of goal difference, Broos is still confident of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in the Americas. Bafana have matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda remaining, both on home soil.

“We have to win against Zimbabwe, and maybe we have to win again against Rwanda even with three points ahead, there is nothing that has changed, but again what happened is very bad, I agree. We have to play two important games, and we have to win them. Yes, we were deducted three points that is the situation now. We go for six out of six. We have two home games I hope that the crowd will be there, which will help us. We still have two games to play. Will Benin be able to win in Rwanda and in Nigeria?” Broos says.

Broos also named his 23-man squad for the final two World Cup qualifiers, with not a single Kaizer Chiefs player making the cut. Two Sundowns players received call-ups, defender Malobongwe Khoza got his first, and right back Khuliso Mudau had a recall.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his squad for the final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe (Moses Mabhida Stadium) and Rwanda (Mbombela) this month.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/0XwK44e8xD

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 2, 2025

VIDEO | Bafana coach Broos announces squad for World Cup qualifier matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda