Defiant Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos calls for solidarity amid Fifa Mokoena-gate sanctions

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos addressed the unsettling blunder that has cast a shadow over South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

At Thursday’s squad announcement in Johannesburg, Broos spoke about FIFA’s controversial decision to dock the team three vital points after fielding an ineligible player.

However, Broos said he is keen to shift the focus onto the upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. He is calling for unity and determination from players and fans alike as they navigate through this turbulent period.

Bafana’s first match is at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, against Zimbabwe on Friday, October 10, 2025. The team must secure a vital win to keep their World Cup hopes on track.

Following this encounter, Bafana will return home to Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, where they will host Rwanda on Tuesday, October 14 at 6pm for their final Group C qualifier.

This past week will be etched in the minds of South African football fans as the repercussions of fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho resulted in a significant sanction: a 3-0 defeat awarded to Lesotho, which stripped Bafana of the points it had already earned.

Now, the team finds itself in second place in Group C, tied on points with Benin but trailing due to a poorer goal difference.

“Everybody is responsible, so stop with it, just focus on the two games that are coming now,” Broos said, acknowledging his team’s missteps but emphasising the urgent need for collective resolve.

“Support us like you did already, and we will see where we arrive.”

He further expressed his intention to motivate his players by framing the upcoming matches not just as essential for points, but as a matter of pride.

“In these two games, you will see that we will fight like lions,” he asserted.

The coach took personal accountability for the incident, noting, “I’m responsible – I am the coach, I have to know that this guy had yellow cards.”

He extended the blame to his technical staff for failing to communicate Mokoena’s status, while also highlighting the role of the team manager and the player himself for not voicing concerns.

Broos pointedly remarked, “The administration of SAFA is responsible,” encapsulating the broader systemic issues that he believes contributed to this fallout.

As the team gears up for what promises to be intense fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, the stakes could not be higher.

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Hugo Broos’ calls for solidarity translate into a reinvigorated performance that returns Bafana Bafana to a winning trajectory in their bid for the World Cup.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela SC, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)

Forwards: Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)