Hugo Broos defends 'frustrated' Mbekezeli Mbokazi after red card in Bafana Bafana draw with Zimbabwe in World Cup qualifier

On Friday evening, Zimbabwe came into the Group C outing having nothing to lose since they are already out of the race to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite playing with a man less for about 30 minutes, following the sending off of Knowledge Musona, the Warriors defended well.

It eventually ended goalless, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi also getting his marching orders late into the game after two yellow cards. 

The Mbokazi red card means he will play no part on Tuesday as Bafana Bafana host Rwanda in the final game of the pool.

A section of the fans have shared their views on the outcome of the game.

However, coach Hugo Broos insists Mbokazi should not be crucified for the red card, since it is not the reason for the draw.

“This guy got frustrated, and he knew that with the results, we would be in trouble. So, he had it two times; the aggressiveness of the Zimbabwean player made him nervous,” Broos said in his post-match interview. 

“That was something that a young player does, so I don’t blame him for that. It is something that he must learn. He is still young. What do you want?

“This guy wants to win, and you can see it in his way of playing," he continued.

 "If then a guy like the player of Zimbabwe went so aggressively two times on him, you can’t accept it, but you can understand that it happens.

“Okay, that red card was not the reason why today [Friday] we didn’t win the game," the Belgian concluded.

On Tuesday, South Africa will be hosting Rwanda in another must-win game at the Mbombela Stadium.

Currently, Bafana Bafana are trailing leaders Benin by two points, explaining why they will need Nigeria, who are third, to beat the Cheetahs to qualify.