Head coach of South Africa Hugo Broos is heavily disappointed in the drama that led them to fielding Teboho Mokoena in their world cup qualifiers game against Lesotho, when he was supposed to be suspended after picking up two previous bookings.
Mokoena played for 81 minutes in the 2-0 win, and it will likely cost them to forfeit the three points picked up in the game and they will also have a 0-3 goal deficit recorded against them by FIFA , judging by how other offenders have been treated.
Broos who has been credited for turning around the fortunes of the team is said to be unhappy with the entire situation, and feels it has handed an unexpected advantage to their main challengers Nigeria whose media flagged up the issue before it was picked up by Lesotho and others in the group.
If as expected, they are docked three points and three goals it will reduce their gap over Nigeria to three points, leaving the Super Eagles with enough motivation to approach their game in South Africa knowing that a win could see them go level on points with their host.
Reports say Broos will likely leave the team in October if they fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, shunning the chance of leading them to the AFCON where they finished third at the last edition in Cote d’Ivoire.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman