Explained: What a points deduction could mean for Bafana Bafana’s road to the World Cup
Never-ending saga: Teboho Mokoena sings the national anthem ahead of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Bloemfontein. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
World football governing body FIFA confirmed to SAFA on Thursday that they would be launching an investigation into Bafana Bafana’s fielding of Teboho Mokoena when he should have been serving a suspension.
Mokoena was shown a yellow card in Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Benin in Durban on November 18, 2023, and another against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on June 11, 2024.
On March 21 of this year, Mokoena played against Lesotho in Polokwane when he should have been serving a one-match suspension, which is where all the drama began for Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana.
It is almost certain that their 2-0 win over Lesotho will be overturned into a 3-0 loss. So, how will that affect South Africa’s World Cup qualification hopes?
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As things stand, it’s not a complete train smash for Bafana Bafana, who currently lead Group C by three points. Having three points deducted will see them level on points with Benin, but the knock-on effect of having a 2-0 win overturned into a 3-0 loss will see their goal difference advantage eroded.
Because of this, they will drop down to second place in the group, behind new leaders Benin, whose goal difference of +4 would be one better than Bafana’s +3.
With two games left to play, South Africa would need to win both games while hoping that Benin drop points in at least one of them. The first of their two games remaining sees them up against neighbours Zimbabwe, which is scheduled to be played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, on October 10, 2025.
They then round off their qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Rwanda.
Benin, on the other hand, travel to Rwanda for their first game before a daunting trip to Nigeria. Should Benin win both games, South Africa would then have a chance to go through the play-offs, but they would need to be one of the best four second-place finishers.
The road to qualification has suddenly become much steeper for Broos and his men, but the situation is far from hopeless. With everything still to play for, South Africa’s fate remains in their own hands – but one slip could cost them a place at the biggest showpiece in world football.
IOL Sport