McKenzie criticises SAFA over Mokwena eligibility error

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Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has criticised SAFA over Teboho Mokwena’s FIFA dispute which nearly cost Bafana Bafana a place at next year’s World Cup.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has criticised the South African Football Association (SAFA) for failing to take responsibility over Teboho Mokwena’s ineligibility during last month’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

Mokwena featured in the match despite having received two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign, which should have ruled him out through suspension. FIFA subsequently intervened, docking Bafana Bafana three points — a decision that placed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in jeopardy.

Speaking to broadcaster Robert Marawa, McKenzie said the situation reflected poor administrative oversight and called for accountability within SAFA and that action must be taken, as this was a basic error that could have cost the country its place at the World Cup.

Bafana ultimately retained their qualification position despite the sanction, but the incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of SAFA’s governance and match administration processes.

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Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

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