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Hugo Broos, Helman Mkhalele and Gayton McKenzie, Bafana BafanaBackpage
Seth Willis

Bafana Bafana's Hugo Broos responds to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie's proposed investigation into the Teboho Mokoena points deduction saga - 'I'm responsible, I'm the coach!'

The Belgian has responded to the administrator who had threatened a "thorough investigation into the incompetence that led to this sanction" after South Africa were deducted three points in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.

  • Bafana played suspended Mokoena against Lesotho
  • FIFA has since sanctioned Mzansi
  • Broos responds to Sports Minister who promised action
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  • Teboho Mokoena, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    FIFA sanctioned Bafana Bafana earlier this week after they had fielded an ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in Group C's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played in March.

    The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards in the initial matches, rendering him unavailable for the fixture.

    However, he was played as South Africa went on to win the game 2-0. 

    As a result, FIFA reversed the result, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 win and crucially, deducting three points from South Africa's total. 

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    SAFA have since responded by insisting it was not a fair judgment, which prompted them to appeal.

    However, this did not go down well with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who promised to follow up on the matter and ensure those responsible are punished.

    In his response, coach Hugo Broos has stated this wasn't an individual mistake.

  • WATCH WHAT BROOS SAID

    “Who is responsible, and I see already that the minister also wants to investigate who is responsible, it’s clear; I’m responsible, I am the coach," the 73-year-old said on Thursday.

    “I have to know that these guys have two yellow cards. My technical staff, because they didn’t tell me that Teboho has two yellow cards.

    “The team manager is responsible, because he didn’t follow up. The player is responsible because he didn’t say anything.

    “The administration of SAFA is responsible, so not everybody knows who’s responsible. So stop with it, just focus on the two games that are coming now, and support us like you did before.

    “We will see where we will arrive. But we will do everything, 100% to win those two games. Again, for me it’s an extra motivation," Broos concluded.

  • WHAT NEXT?

    Bafana Bafana are currently second in Group C with 14 points, the same as Benin, who have a (+1) superior goal difference. 

    Coach Hugo Broos confirmed his 23-man squad to tackle Zimbabwe and Rwanda in the final Group C matches to be played on October 10 and 14, respectively. 

    South Africa are aware they can't drop any more points since it might cost them the World Cup ticket.