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Bafana coach and other personnel
Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie is satisfied with the reasons provided by the South African Football Association (SAFA) for the yellow card administrative blunder that nearly cost Bafana Bafana their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
McKenzie says SAFA has serious financial concerns and the blunder can be attributed to a staff shortage at the association.
The team manager Vincent Tseka who is responsible for the recording of bookings, had reportedly left the venue to get the team ice. As a result, he missed the incident which saw Teboho Mokoena receive a second yellow card.
When news of the FIFA sanction and docking of three points for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho broke, there was anxiety among South Africans.
Despite playing to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe days later, the team beat Rwanda 3-nil in their final qualifier and with Benin losing to Nigeria, Bafana sealed qualification to next year’s global showpiece.
After the final whistle and while still on the field of play, SAFA president Danny Jordaan said Bafana’s qualification put the Mokoena matter to rest. But Minister McKenzie demanded a report and accountability. And now he’s satisfied.
“The two yellow cards issued to Teboho Mokoena came 16 months apart and despite the success on the field, the incident tells us the team is under resourced and operating under difficult circumstances,” says Mckenzie.
He has called on corporate South Africa to assist the cash-strapped association especially now that Bafana need to prepare for an Africa Cup of Nations and a World Cup in the Americas. His department has pledged R5 million towards the team’s preparations.
Meanwhile, McKenzie says the commitment made by his department, SAFA, CAF and FIFA regarding the rollout of VAR next season, is gaining momentum.
Treasury has set aside R20 million towards the project.
“We are proud to be working hand in hand with SAFA, CAF and FIFA for the rollout of VAR, Treasury has made an initial allocation of R20 million this financial year and we will start testing it but implement it next season,” Mckenzie explains.
The Minister says the team responsible for its implementation, will visit Spain later this month for stress tests to try and establish what equipment will be best suited for South Africa.
