Bafana Fallout: SAFA To Face Lawmakers Over World Cup Qualification Mistake

Bafana Fallout: SAFA To Face Lawmakers Over World Cup Qualification Mistake

By Admin 

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been summoned to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to explain the administrative error that led to midfielder Teboho Mokoena playing while suspended during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The blunder occurred when Mokoena was fielded in South Africa’s qualifier against Lesotho, despite having received yellow cards in earlier matches against Nigeria and Zimbabwe — a situation that rendered him ineligible for selection.

As a result, FIFA docked three points from South Africa, briefly jeopardizing Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification hopes. Although the team ultimately secured their place, lawmakers insist the incident cannot be ignored.

Committee chair Joseph McGluwa said SAFA must appear before Parliament — even virtually — before December to provide a full account of how the mistake occurred and what corrective measures will be implemented.

> “SAFA must come because they cannot just get off the hook,” McGluwa told Radio 2000’s Thabiso Mosia. “What if we had lost that game? Then what would have happened? They must give us answers.”

The committee is seeking assurances that similar lapses will not recur, emphasizing the reputational damage and potential sporting consequences such administrative oversights could have caused.

Reports have attributed the mix-up to team manager Vincent Tseka, who has faced calls to resign. However, former SAFA president Danny Jordaan has maintained that the matter is closed.

Parliament, however, appears unconvinced. The committee insists SAFA must face questioning before year-end to restore public confidence in the football body’s administrative competence.