Doctor Khumalo shares his opinion on Bafana’s point deduction

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Doctor Khumalo shares his opinion on Bafana’s point deduction
Kaizer Chiefs and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim press conference PK Pressekonferenz JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 13: Doctor Khumalo during the Kaizer Chiefs and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Press Conference at FNB Stadium Auditorium on January 13, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. ( PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Gallo1174307 Kaizer Chiefs and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Press Conference press conference Press conference Johannesburg South Africa January 13 Doctor Khumalo during The Kaizer Chiefs and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Press Conference AT FNB Stage Auditorium ON January 13 2015 in Johannesburg South Africa PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY

Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has shared his views on the three-point deduction suffered by Bafana Bafana in their World Cup qualifiers.

South Africa were docked three points by FIFA for fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena when he was suspended for the match against Lesotho in March.

The impact of the punishment is that Bafana Bafana moved from top spot in their qualification group with 17 points to second on 14, same as Benin, and now need to win their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while hoping for favours from elsewhere to qualify.

Khumalo is among those hurting that the efforts of the players on the pitch were dashed by a boardroom decision that could have been avoided.

Khumalo disappointed by boardroom decision 

Doctor Khumalo

“Obviously I was disappointed and looking at the performance, the efforts the boys showed or put out there throughout the games that they’ve played,” Khumalo said on the DNA Podcast.

“And then there you are, you're losing three points in the boardroom. It was not 90 minutes. It was a 10-minute decision and that 10 minutes, if not seconds or minutes, it actually tells you that you might not go to the World Cup.

“They haven’t lost a game, sitting there on top, cruising and then boom, oh we lost the first game to Lesotho 2-0.

“When you are docked points in the boardroom it is so sad. It’s so sad hence I’m saying let’s now focus on our vision. Let’s now focus on what we are all about as South Africa. We will deal with other things when we come back. Let us park those issues and focus here.”

What is Bafana legend’s message to the fans?

Bafana Bafana fans
Image – Safa

The Kaizer Chiefs legend has, however, rallied fans to fill the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday as South Africa take on Zimbabwe as well as the Mbombela Stadium next Tuesday when they host Rwanda to help them get over the line.

“You know, let's give strength to Hugo Broos and his technical team and also the players. We need to fill up those stadiums as much as we’ve done this before in both Durban and Mbombela,” he added.

“Let’s focus on that and let’s see where we end up because if you want to be a champion, that comes with pain. This is the pain that we are experiencing now.

“This is what we call footballing problems so let’s not allow the footballing problems dictate our goal, our vision. Let’s move forward. Let’s support the boys.”

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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