Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie demands blunder probe despite World Cup qualification

Zuko Komisa

Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie has demanded a full investigation into SAFA’s administrative blunder despite Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification.
McKenzie rejected SAFA President Danny Jordaan’s claim that the matter of the three-point deduction is now “closed.”
The Minister insists those responsible for fielding the suspended player, Teboho Mokoena, must be held accountable.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the achievement is overshadowed by a three-point deduction following a major administrative error by the South African Football Association (SAFA).

The deduction was imposed by FIFA after the national team fielded the suspended player Teboho Mokoena during a March 2024 qualifier against Lesotho, resulting in a 3-0 default loss and a R215,000 fine for SAFA.

Despite SAFA President Danny Jordaan stating the matter was closed, Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has demanded an immediate, detailed report and full investigation into the blunder.

Minister McKenzie has labelled the incident a national “embarrassment” and has written to both SAFA and FIFA, insisting that accountability will be sought for the administrative oversight that put the team’s World Cup qualification at risk. Bafana Bafana secured their spot after defeating Rwanda in their final qualifier.