Gayton McKenzie Slams SAFA Over World Cup Points Blunder, Calls For Urgent Investigation

Bafana Bafana may have earned their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but their success has been overshadowed by controversy after the South African Football Association (SAFA) was slapped with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

FIFA imposed the penalty following SAFA’s decision to field Teboho Mokoena, who was under suspension, during the March 2024 qualifier against Lesotho. The blunder not only resulted in a 3–0 default loss for South Africa but also cost the football body a R215 000 fine.

Despite the setback, the national team still secured qualification after defeating Rwanda in their final qualifying match.

Gayton McKenzie Demands Accountability from SAFA

Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has expressed outrage over the mishap, describing it as a “national embarrassment.” He has called for a detailed investigation and immediate accountability from those responsible.

“The incident has brought shame to the country’s football administration,” McKenzie said, adding that he has formally written to both SAFA and FIFA demanding answers and assurances that such an error will never occur again.

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While SAFA President Danny Jordaan maintains that the issue is “closed,” McKenzie insists that the matter is far from over. The Minister is pushing for transparency and structural reforms to ensure greater professionalism within South African football governance.

Fans have expressed disappointment online, questioning how such an oversight could happen on the world stage. For now, McKenzie’s intervention signals that this World Cup victory might come with more off-field battles than expected.

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