Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has broken his silence on FIFA’s
devastating three-point sanction, accepting full responsibility for the
administrative error while defiantly insisting the team’s World Cup
qualification hopes are still alive.
The points deduction, a result of fielding the suspended Teboho Mokoena in a
qualifier against Lesotho, has pushed South Africa down to second place in
Group E. Despite the setback, Broos is channeling his energy into the two
remaining must-win matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
In a passionate address, the coach challenged the growing pessimism
surrounding the team’s chances. “People are trying to forget that we’re
still alive,” Broos stated. “The situation has not changed. After the game
against Nigeria we were three points ahead and we still had to win our last
two games. Why believe Benin will win their last two games and we not? I
don’t understand why people start doubting now.”
Broos revealed the sanction initially hit him hard, but his resolve quickly
returned. “I was also down, to be honest. But one hour later, I said, ‘now
we are going to prove that it will not keep us away’.”
Most significantly, Broos shouldered the blame for the error that led to
Mokoena’s ineligible selection, explaining that the 16-month gap between the
player’s first yellow card and the Lesotho match contributed to the
oversight. However, he refused to single anyone out.
“Who is responsible? It’s clear. I am responsible. I am the coach,” he
declared. “My technical staff is responsible. The team manager is
responsible. The player is responsible. The administration of SAFA is
responsible. Let’s stop with it and focus on the two games coming. We will
do everything to win those two games.”
With the focus now squarely on the pitch, Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe
on Friday, October 10th, before taking on Rwanda four days later, determined
to secure their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
