Bafana news: Lesotho make official complaint, Broos responds

Bafana Bafana are in the hot seat after making a crucial mistake during Friday’s match against Lesotho. FIFA are looking into the matter.

Bafan Bafana coach Hugo Broos Image via @BafanaBafana on X

Lesotho has submitted an official complaint regarding Bafana Bafana’s use of Teboho Mokoena.

According to FIFA rules, two yellow cards during the qualification rounds trigger a one-match ban. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder reached this threshold against Zimbabwe last year, forcing him to skip Bafana’s next game against Lesotho but found himself in the starting eleven.

Neither the officials nor the coaches picked up on South Africa’s wrongdoing, but Lesotho, who discovered the news days later, has since made an official complaint, calling for FIFA to revoke Hugo Broos’ three points and award it to them.

Lesotho Football Association secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi said, “The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points. We were made aware of Mokoena’s bookings, and we have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and FIFA,

“We have heard that Nigeria also want to protest, and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points, Bafana would have done the same.

“If players or team officials receive two cautions in one match, or in two different matches of the competition, they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match.”

Broos replies

In typical nonchalant Broos style, the Bafana coach replied to journalist, saying, “I cannot comment on that at this point. It is an issue that will be resolved in the coming days,

“So, I ask that you not expect any further information from me. No comment,” the Belgium-born coach responded.