Bafana Coach Hugo Broos Suspects Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvering in FIFA Decision

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has voiced his suspicion that external forces influenced FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

The sanction stemmed from the ineligible fielding of star midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, a match Bafana had comfortably won 2-0.

On Monday, FIFA confirmed the devastating verdict: South Africa would be punished with a 3-0 technical defeat, fined 10,000 Swiss francs [R216,500], and Mokoena himself issued only a warning. 

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The decision left Broos and his camp stunned, as Bafana dropped from first to second in Group C, now tied on 14 points with Benin but trailing on goal difference.

The punishment stems from what FIFA deemed a clear technical error — Mokoena should have served a suspension after receiving yellow cards against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024. 

Yet Broos believes the way FIFA reopened the case is “very strange” and likely influenced by unseen lobbying.

“For the first two hours upon learning of the news, I was down because I didn’t expect it—certainly not the way it went,” Broos explained.

“The committee of sanctions met three times; they were together during the period of the Lesotho game and again two weeks ago in September, and three times South Africa was not mentioned.”

Broos revealed that just a day after the last FIFA sanctions meeting, South Africa unexpectedly received a letter notifying them that the case had been reopened. To him, the timing of this sudden turnaround raises red flags.

“One day after the last meeting, we suddenly got a letter from FIFA that the case had been reopened. Very strange. What happened in the previous sanction meetings of FIFA?” Broos asked.

“So that means that there has been a lot of lobbying behind the scenes, that’s for sure. How can you have three meetings of the committee of sanctions and never talk about South Africa, and suddenly there is a letter from FIFA. Okay, it has happened and one week later we knew three points were deducted.”

Although the coach conceded that South Africa committed an administrative error, his concern lies with the external interference that appeared to push the case forward. 

Broos stopped short of naming names, but speculation has grown that Nigeria, who stand to benefit most in the group standings, might have played a decisive role in raising the issue.

The setback means Broos’ side must now win both their remaining fixtures — at home to Zimbabwe and Rwanda — and hope Benin drop points in their away clashes against Rwanda and Nigeria. 

The fine margins underline just how costly Mokoena’s ineligibility has become for South Africa’s World Cup dreams.

“It is not pleasing to have such a message, but we know that we did something that is not allowed, and we are punished for that now. What can we say about it?” Broos concluded, showing frustration but also acceptance of the punishment.