In the wake of an administrative blunder that saw Bafana Bafana docked
points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Minister of Sport, Arts and
Culture Gayton McKenzie has formally demanded full accountability from the
South African Football Association (SAFA).
The Minister has written to both FIFA and SAFA following the “regrettable
incident” where South Africa fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho,
an error that led to a three-point and three-goal deduction.
In his letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, McKenzie apologized on
behalf of the South African government. “This administrative oversight
unfortunately brought South African football into disrepute,” he stated,
while clarifying that his intention was not to interfere with football’s
autonomous administration but to uphold the nation’s commitment to the
integrity of the game.
McKenzie has given SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan and CEO Lydia Monyepao
seven days to submit a detailed report. This report must explain how the
error occurred, outline the corrective measures taken to prevent a
recurrence, and specify any disciplinary action against those responsible.
“We pride ourselves on playing fair as a nation,” McKenzie emphasized. “It
is crucial that we restore confidence in our football governance both
domestically and globally.”
This call for accountability comes just as the national team has managed to
overcome the setback, successfully qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
despite the points penalty.
