Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie has emphasized that those responsible for South Africa’s administrative error in Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifying campaign will face consequences, despite the team securing a historic return to the tournament.
South Africa’s path to next year’s FIFA World Cup was jeopardized when FIFA docked three points after Mamelodi Sundowns’ midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in a 2–0 win over Lesotho while serving a suspension for two yellow cards. The deduction meant Bafana needed a decisive final-day result, which they delivered emphatically by defeating Rwanda 3–0 to seal their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Gayton Mckenzie Praises Players, Insists on Accountability
Mckenzie, who witnessed the team’s triumph firsthand, praised the players’ resilience but insisted that the administrative lapse could not be ignored. Speaking on Marawa Sports Worldwide, he said:
“The Boys didn’t just qualify, they did so facing the biggest ever mistake that was done in our country. They had to overcome a double bridge and it was out of their hands.”
Clear Expectations for SAFA Leadership
Since assuming office, Mckenzie has maintained close oversight of the South African Football Association (SAFA), setting clear expectations: qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations later this year and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I met with the leadership of SAFA,” Mckenzie added. “I told them I am a new minister, responsible for this portfolio, and I am going to ask for only two things. If you don’t deliver on those, you will have to resign: qualify for the World Cup and the AFCON.”
SAFA Accountability Non-Negotiable
The minister’s message is clear: while South Africa celebrates a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage, accountability for administrative failures remains non-negotiable.
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