Benni McCarthy Reacts to FIFA Sanctions, Slams SAFA Over Points Deduction
- Benni McCarthy has shared his thoughts after Bafana Bafana were sanctioned by FIFA after an avoidable mistake in one of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- The former Manchester United assistant coach has crashed into the people responsible for the costly mistake
- The Kenyan national team coach's views on the issue gathered different reactions from South Africans on social media
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy has called for accountability following FIFA’s decision to penalise Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in one of their World Cup qualifiers.
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FIFA decided to remove three points from South Africa after they were indicted for playing Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, despite having accumulated two yellow cards in their previous matches, against Lesotho in their World Cup qualifier in March 2025.
Bafana Bafana are still on course to qualify for the World Cup despite the point deduction, but they need to win their remaining two fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while hoping the Benin Republic drops points.
McCarthy shares thoughts on Bafana's sanction
McCarthy insists that administrative errors like this are unacceptable at the national team level. He believes those responsible must face consequences to prevent similar issues in the future.
McCarthy says those responsible must be held to account if South Africa fails to take maximum points against Zimbabwe and Rwanda and misses out on World Cup qualification.
He warned that administrative incompetence cannot be tolerated and that “heads have to fly” should the team be eliminated because of avoidable errors.
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He stressed the gravity of the situation, as South Africa last reached a World Cup in 2002, and warned that if the team is eliminated due to administrative failings rather than on-field performance, those responsible should pay the price.
“If these two games don’t go accordingly and we are knocked out because of incompetence, then heads have to fly,” he said.
South African football fans also agreed with the Kenyan national team coach as they point deduction could hurt Bafana Bafana's qualification.
Mnca-Mnce wrote:
"We are not angry enough with this because there is still a chance to qualify. If this happened after all games have been played and there was no chance anymore, we would be up in arms demanding accountability."
Mogatikedi shared:
"He means business. Heads must FLY, he feels it will not be enough for heads to roll, they must FLY !!"
Goddard Ngobeni said:
"Benni is right. The incompetent Danny Jordaan, Vincent Tseka and the rest of the SAFA administration must face the consequences. They made our national team a laughing stock. Now weak teams like Nigeria🇳🇬 Lesotho 🇱🇸 and Zim 🇿🇼 are laughing at us. Damn SAFA."
Minni_Darque commented:
"If we don’t qualify then definitely his our coach of the future… in the meantime let him get experience in the Kenyan National team."
Paulla_78 reacted:
"Lol, the minions will focus on silly things while we shoot straight from the hip and don’t hold back our words. Someone must get fired, simple as that."
Sipho Serathi added:
"True....there r ppl who shouldve been aware abt de situation....b4 da games, y they r nt doing their jobs."
Sono speaks on Bafana's FIFA sanction
Briefly News also reported that Jomo Sono has shared his views on Bafana Bafana's sanction from FIFA after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player.
The Orlando Pirates legend sent a strong message to SAFA concerning the issue.
Source: Briefly News
