Teboho Mokoena’s suspension blunder has exposed deep-rooted issues at the South African Soccer Association (SAFA). The midfielder played against Lesotho on 21 March 2025 despite being ineligible due to yellow card accumulation.
Mokoena had picked up two yellow cards in Bafana’s World Cup qualifying group, so he should have been ineligible for the game against Lesotho. However, he was allowed to play. Lesotho complained four days after the match in Polokwane and Bafana might be stripped of the three points they won with a 2-0 victory.
This was not just an administrative error but a symptom of systemic dysfunction. At the same time, reports emerged that SAFA had again failed to pay staff salaries on time. The association must address its problems from the top down to avoid further damage to the national team.
The Mokoena Suspension Blunder
Teboho Mokoena should not have been on the pitch against Lesotho. He had received two yellow cards in previous matches, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. Yet, SAFA failed to enforce the ban, risking potential sanctions from FIFA.
This mistake could have been avoided with proper checks. Team manager Vincent Tseka bears responsibility, but the fault goes beyond one individual. The incident highlights a lack of accountability within SAFA’s structures.
Vincent Tseka’s Role in the Chaos
Vincent Tseka, as team manager, should have confirmed Mokoena’s suspension status. However, the overarching problems at SAFA go far deeper than one costly mistake from one person.
Similar administrative lapses have occurred in the past, such as Bafana misunderstanding the rules regarding tiebreakers in qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Repeated mistakes indicate a deeper problem with oversight. SAFA’s leadership must scrutinise whether the right people are in key roles.
It is true that Tseka has been named before in news reports over the South African Football Association’s (SAFA’s) failure to book adequate training facilities. However, it is also true that administrative blunders have gone far beyond his office. The failure to read the fine print over AFCON 2012 happened under previous SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani, with Pitso Mosimane as head coach. Under Danny Jordaan’s presidency, issues at SAFA have gone from bad to worse.
SAFA’s Institutional Decay
The Mokoena incident is just one example of SAFA’s decline. Chronic mismanagement has plagued the association for years. From unpaid salaries to poor governance, the signs of decay are undeniable.
Delayed wages do little to help staff morale. This financial instability affects every department, including player eligibility checks. Without proper funding and leadership, more blunders are inevitable.
Financial Troubles Worsening the Crisis
SAFA’s inability to pay staff on time in March reflects deeper financial woes. Cash flow problems have become a recurring issue. This mismanagement trickles down, affecting even basic operational tasks.
When employees are demotivated, mistakes like the Mokoena incident happen. Proper payroll management is crucial for organisational stability. SAFA’s financial failures undermine its ability to run the national team effectively.
The Need for Top-Down Reform
SAFA’s problems require urgent structural changes. Leadership must be held accountable for repeated failures. A complete overhaul of administrative processes is necessary.
Transparency and professionalism should be prioritised. Without reform, South African soccer will continue to suffer. The Mokoena controversy is a wake-up call for SAFA to act decisively.
Bafana is playing superb soccer on the pitch, but soccer betting enthusiasts will need reassurance that further administrative problems will not hold South Africa (41.27) back.
Conclusion: Avoiding Future Disasters
The Mokoena suspension blunder is a symptom of SAFA’s deeper issues. Poor management, financial instability, and weak oversight have created a toxic environment. Immediate action is needed to restore credibility.
If SAFA fails to reform, more scandals will follow. The association must prioritise accountability and efficiency. Only then can South African soccer move forward.
