South African Legend Wants Blundering Official Sacked Over Bafana Bafana Points Deduction

Bafana Bafana legend Jomo Sono has called for the dismissal of the official who failed in his duty, leading to the three-point deduction from FIFA.

South African legend Jomo Sono wants the official responsible for the points deduction imposed by FIFA to be dismissed after leaving Bafana Bafana in a difficult position.

Bafana Bafana suffered a setback in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when FIFA docked them three points and handed rivals Lesotho a 3-0 win for fielding an ineligible player.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was suspended for the World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on March 21 but still played and that led to the punishment from FIFA which was delivered on Monday to the disappointment of fans.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

It has seen Hugo Broos’ men drop from first position with 17 points in their qualification group to second, level on 14 with Benin, but with an inferior goal difference, and now, they need to win their remaining two games while still hoping for favours from elsewhere to qualify.

Sono Wants Action Taken on SAFA Official

Former South Africa forward Sono has slammed the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the blunder while calling for heads to roll.

"SAFA they should take action against that person who don't even understand the rules of the game," the former Bafana Bafana coach told South African outlet KickOff.

"I don't know that person, but whoever he is he is responsible. Obviously, it's not the coach because the coach doesn't deal with players bookings. Surely there's someone in the management who deals with such things.

"Sometimes it's cost by these things of keeping unnecessary people around your bench. Some of these people you cannot even tell what's their duties there in the technical team. They are just standing there doing nothing.”

Bafana Legend Displeased by ‘Crowded Bench’

Sono feels such blunders are as a result of having too many people on the technical bench where others do not have defined roles.

"That Bafana Bafana bench is overcrowded to be honest, that's why when I was coaching the national team, I didn't want many people at the bench because as a coach, you end up not knowing who is doing what and who is doing what,” he added.

"A player can remember the bookings and inform the management, but if the management have people who are desperate they will tell the player 'Nah there's nothing wrong here go and play!' Then the player will do nothing.’

The Jomo Cosmos boss insists the mistake is unforgivable given there are people tasked with checking such things before and after every match.

Mokoena and Broos Should Not Be Blamed

"They forget that football is played withing the rules and regulations. The player cannot be blamed and the coach cannot be blamed for this blunder. The administrator who deals with the bookings is the one who should be blamed. There must be a person who is responsible for this,” he said.

"Maybe that person forgot, but you can't forget about something that a nation is dependent on. Because now look you've let the whole country down. What if Benin won their two games and score goals? If it happens we are out."

South Africa face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final qualification matches and must win both while hoping to either outscore Benin or that the Squirrels drop points to seal a direct ticket to the World Cup.