Former SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani has urged the football
association to implement rigorous administrative checks, following the
costly error that saw Bafana Bafana docked three World Cup qualifying points
for fielding an ineligible player.
The sanction, for selecting Teboho Mokoena while he was suspended, has
jeopardized South Africa’s qualification campaign, pushing them from a
comfortable first place to second in Group E.
In a candid interview, Nematandani outlined a clear path to prevent future
errors. “Administrators must sit down before every game and ask, ‘what could
go wrong?'” he stated. “They need a spreadsheet and must analyse every
player, not just for fitness, but for hidden issues like yellow cards.”
He emphasized the role of modern technology, adding, “When you have these
things recorded, the computer will highlight which player has an issue.
Technology is here to assist us, so why don’t we use it? There must come a
time where we avoid these little basic mistakes.”
“Focus on the Pitch, Not the Appeal”
Despite the setback, Nematandani stressed that the team must now look
forward, not back. He expressed strong skepticism about SAFA’s planned
appeal against the sanction.
“I know the association is going to appeal, but they are not going to win
the appeal. The law remains the law,” he said bluntly. “It’s just an issue
of making a part. We must not rely on anyone else. We must do the job
ourselves.”
His message shifted from administrative critique to a rallying cry for the
nation. He believes the path to the World Cup is still clear: win the final
two games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
“People were talking about calculators. I don’t think we need them,” he
asserted. “If the boys are focused, there is no way they can’t collect the
six points… We as the public should rally behind the boys. If we can be
positive as a country, that will rub off on them. Motivation is what the
boys need now.”
