Benni McCarthy
Johannesburg – South African football legend Benni McCarthy has called for tough action against those behind the administrative slip-up that saw Bafana Bafana docked three crucial points by FIFA. The sanction stems from fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena while he was suspended, a mistake that has thrown the team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes into doubt.
McCarthy, speaking out amid growing frustration, warned that if the error costs South Africa a spot at the tournament, “heads have to fly.”
The former Bafana striker, who holds the record as the country’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals in 79 caps, did not hold back. He pointed out that South Africa has not qualified for the World Cup since the 2002 edition co-hosted by Japan and Korea, excluding the 2010 home tournament. With the team now facing an uphill battle in their qualifying group, McCarthy stressed the need for accountability to avoid repeating past failures.
The Costly Administrative Error That Sparked FIFA’s Wrath
The saga began during a friendly match against Lesotho on 24 March 2025 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. Bafana cruised to a 4-0 win, with goals from Elias Mokwana, Evidence Makgopa (twice), and Teboho Mokoena himself. However, it soon emerged that Mokoena should not have played. He had picked up yellow cards in prior games against Algeria and Andorra, triggering a one-match ban under FIFA rules.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) appealed the suspension, arguing the bookings were from friendlies and should not count. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled him ineligible, and FIFA upheld the decision on 27 September 2025. As punishment, the result was overturned to a 3-0 defeat for South Africa, with Lesotho awarded the points. SAFA also faces a fine of 50,000 Swiss Francs (about R1 million) and a probe into how the blunder happened.
This deduction hits hard in Group C of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Before the sanction, Bafana sat top with 11 points from six games. Now, they drop to eight points, level with Rwanda and Benin. Upcoming matches against Uganda on 15 November and South Sudan on 19 November are must-wins, but any slip could see them miss out. Benin, who protested the fielding of Mokoena, now have a shot at topping the group if they beat Nigeria in their remaining fixtures.
McCarthy’s Fiery Call for Accountability
McCarthy, now a coach at Manchester United after stints with AmaZulu and Cape Town City, shared his thoughts in an interview. “People responsible must pay the hefty price because South Africa haven’t qualified since the Japan and Korea co-hosting in 2002,” he said, excluding the 2010 competition where the country took part by virtue of hosting it.
“That was the last time we qualified. I am not saying they aren’t going through, but football is a funny game.”
“If these two games don’t go accordingly and we are knocked out because of incompetence, then heads have to fly, as simple as that,” he concluded.
His words echo widespread anger among fans and pundits. McCarthy, who played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, knows the pain of missing out. He urged SAFA and coach Hugo Broos to fix the mess, warning that excuses will not cut it if qualification slips away.
Hugo Broos’ Suspicions of Foul Play
Bafana coach Hugo Broos, a Belgian veteran who led Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title, suspects something shady behind the scenes. He questioned why FIFA took so long to act – six months after the match – and hinted at possible manoeuvring by rivals. “I don’t understand why it took so long,” Broos said, adding that the timing feels off just as Bafana were building momentum.
Broos admitted the team knew about Mokoena’s bookings but thought friendlies did not count towards suspensions in qualifiers. He took some blame but pointed fingers at SAFA’s admin team for not double-checking. Despite the setback, Broos remains hopeful, saying the players are fired up to prove doubters wrong in the remaining games.
Qualification Hopes Hanging by a Thread
South Africa’s road to the 2026 World Cup has been rocky. In Group C, they started strong with wins over Benin and Rwanda, but draws and the sanction have tightened things. A top finish guarantees a spot, while second could mean playoffs. Missing out would extend a drought that has frustrated fans for over two decades.
Mokoena, a key player for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana, expressed regret but backed the team to bounce back. The 28-year-old, known for his long-range strikes, will miss the Uganda clash due to the upheld ban but could return for South Sudan.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan defended the appeal, saying they believed the rules were on their side. But critics slam the body for repeated blunders, from kit issues to venue problems. FIFA’s ongoing probe could lead to more penalties if negligence is proven.
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