Bafana slip-up can’t be ignored: Contralesa

CONTRALESA President Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has weighed in on the Bafana Bafana saga where the national team was stripped off 3 points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena in the qualifier against Lesotho.

And we have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup!!!! Yeeeeeeessssssss!!!! Let that sink in!!!!!

South Africa 🇿🇦 ♥️!!!@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/d3NThOO8tc

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 14, 2025

Contralesa President, Kgosi Mathupa Mokoena says the administrative bungle nearly cost this country a space in the 2026 World Cup, in America.

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Mokoena has called on South African Football Association (SAFA) to investigate and identify the culprit.

“Contralesa congratulate our National Team for qualifying for world cup in America in 2026. We are very proud of our boys. Contralesa however does not agree with SAFA that the Tebogo Mokoena saga be ignored and be left as such and that we focus on the World Cup. The Tebogo Mokoena saga almost costs South Africa space in the World cup.” he says.

He says Contralesa insists that this matter be investigated so that it is known who dropped the ball.

“This will assist in making sure that we know and we tell people not to sleep on the ball,” he adds.

From the field to the dressing room — pure joy, pride and unity! 🇿🇦

Bafana Bafana celebrate in style after sealing our ticket to the FIFA World Cup! 🎉

A moment for the history books. 💚💛

⚽ #BafanaPride #FIFAWorldCup #SABCSport pic.twitter.com/4guPwjAkFi

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 15, 2025