Bafana: Who is suspended or on yellow cards ahead of Zimbabwe match?

Well, we thought we would never have to do this, right?

But it is now necessary as Bafana Bafana prepare to face Zimbabwe in their penultimate World Cup qualifier at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday.

This is after they were docked three points by FIFA over the fielding of midfielder Teboho Mokoena when he was supposed to be suspended for their match against Lesotho in March.

The decision has seen Hugo Broos’ men tumble from top spot in Group C with 17 points to second on 14, same as Benin, who have a superior goal difference, ahead of their final round of matches this week.

Which Bafana player won’t play or is at risk?

Siyabonga Ngezana will not play against Zimbabwe due to suspendion. Photo by Icon Sport

South Africa must now win both games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda and hope Benin drop points against Rwanda and Nigeria, or outscore them to seal a direct ticket to the World Cup.

Ahead of the match against Zimbabwe, who are the players that have been booked or suspended?

Romania-based central defender Siyabonga Ngeza will sit out this match as he is suspended after accumulating cards and was replaced in the squad by Malibongwe Khoza.

Meanwhile, Mokoena received a yellow card in their last match against Nigeria last month, taking his tally to three, while Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Lyle Foster, Thalente Mbatha and Bathusi Aubaas all have one yellow apiece.

Broos keen to avoid lightning striking twice

One change to Bafana Bafana line-up for Congo return tie — Hugo Broos – Picture courtesy of Facebook/Bafana Bafana – South Africa

Broos admitted this week that he now has his own list of suspensions after learning the hard way to avoid another costly scenario.

“What has to be done to make sure such mistakes don’t happen again is to make sure that we take notes in every game. It is as simple as that,” Broos said as per Sunday World.

“I reiterate, no one should be blamed for this because it was a mistake. I mean, even when the player himself does not remember that he got a yellow card in November 2023, then suspended two years later, then we must surely understand that it was everybody’s mistake.

“But I acknowledge that it was a big mistake from all of us. And everyone now knows that such a mistake should never happen again. And it will not happen again because Ngezana is suspended, and we all took note of it,” he added.