South Africa have avoided the possibility of another Teboho Mokoena situation and further penalties by omitting Siyabonga Ngezana from its squad for the last two group games of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
It seems that SAFA has learnt its lesson after having the result its 2-0 win over Lesotho in March overturned to a 3-0 loss for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena. The midfielder should have been serving a suspension for collecting two yellow cards during South Africa’s campaign.
As a result, South Africa are no second in group C, level with Benin on 14 points but behind by one goal on goal difference.
A suspension for yellow cards picked up during World Cup qualifying cannot be served during any other competition, according to FIFA’s rules. Therefore, despite there being 6 months 24 days and 12 Bafana Bafana matches between Mokoena’s yellow cards, the two combined equalled a suspension for the midfielder.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos emphasised that many at SAFA are not blameless, but that the mistake would not be made again. Therefore, the 73-year-old left defender Ngezana out of his squad for the last two qualifying group games, as he has accrued two yellow cards.
“It will not happen anymore, that is for sure. You see, Ngezana is suspended, we all knew it. Yeah, but it’s okay, it’s a good lesson. It’s been a very good lesson for everyone. Now we have maybe 25 people in SAFA and in my staff who have a little list with, oh yeah, yellow cards,” said Broos, speaking after the announcement of his 23-man squad on Thursday.
Ngezana received his second yellow card of South Africa’s qualifying campaign in the 18th minute of Bafana Bafana’s clash with Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 9 September. His first also came in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria on 7 June 2024 in Uyo.
Broos is adamant that the FIFA sanctions and docking of three points provides both himself and his side with extra motivation as South Africa must now win both of their upcoming fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to ensure their spot at the World Cup.
“I know what [my players] want. They all want to go to America. So they will do everything in the next two games to win those games. It will not affect us. It doesn’t affect me either, except those first two hours when [I received] the message. But now it becomes a motivation for me and I will try to put it over to the players that we have an extra motivation to show all those guys who are waiting now that we shouldn’t go to America, that on the 14th of October we go to America. So that is an extra motivation for me and I will try to transform that to the group. Even though I am sure that I don’t have to because I know this group will be ready for the two games,” he said.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October before clashing with Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on 14 October.
