Teboho Mokoena saga: Who’s to blame for Bafana’s FIFA sanction?

South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been rocked by a scandal that has nothing to do with tactics or talent and everything to do with administrative failure.

FIFA’s decision to dock Bafana Bafana three points for fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena has exposed deep cracks in the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) operations. The reversal of South Africa’s 2–1 win over Lesotho into a 3–0 loss has not only damaged their standing in Group C but raised serious questions about leadership, accountability, and competence within SAFA.

The Suspension Oversight

Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualifiers, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. Yet, he was fielded against Lesotho, a decision that now haunts the national team.

The responsibility for tracking player suspensions lies with SAFA’s technical and administrative departments. According to insiders, the suspension notice was either missed or not properly communicated to the coaching staff. This points to a breakdown in basic compliance, something that should be routine at international level.

Vincent Tseka: A Manager Under Fire

Team manager Vincent Tseka, whose role includes overseeing logistics, player eligibility, and matchday operations, is now at the centre of the storm. Not only did Tseka fail to flag Mokoena’s suspension, but he also neglected to book a training facility for the team ahead of the Lesotho fixture, forcing Bafana to scramble for last-minute arrangements that disrupted their preparation.

In any serious footballing nation, such errors would trigger disciplinary hearings. Yet, no one at SAFA has been suspended, and Tseka remains in his position, despite growing calls for accountability.

Danny Jordaan: Deafening Silence

SAFA President Danny Jordaan, who has faced fraud allegations in recent months, has remained silent on the matter. His lack of public response has angered fans and pundits alike.

“Why has the president not addressed the nation?” asked sports lawyer Thando Maseko. “This is a crisis. The silence is not just disappointing but it’s irresponsible.”

Under Jordaan’s leadership, SAFA has been accused of financial mismanagement, poor governance, and a lack of transparency. This latest blunder adds to a growing list of failures that threaten to derail South African football’s progress.

Broos Left Exposed

Coach Hugo Broos, who has long voiced concerns about SAFA’s support structures, now finds himself defending a team penalized for errors beyond his control.

“We work hard to prepare the players. To lose points because of administrative failures is deeply frustrating,” Broos said.

The Road Ahead

SAFA has indicated it will appeal the FIFA ruling, but overturning such decisions is rare. Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana must regroup and prepare for their final qualifiers now with less margin for error and growing pressure from the public.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: South African football cannot afford to lose ground due to avoidable errors. The time for reform is now before another oversight costs the nation more than just points.