Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has revealed how disappointed he was when the news of South Africa being deducted points by FIFA broke, however pleads that some issues be parked ahead of the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this week.
Bafana were docked three points as punishment for fielding a suspended Tebogo Mokoena in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho earlier this year in Polokwane.
The decision saw Hugo Broos’ side drop from top spot in CAF qualifying Group C to second now equal on 14 points with Benin, who enjoy a better goal difference at the summit of the pool.
Speaking on the DNA Podcast the Kaizer Chiefs legend said disappointing as the situation is, South Africans need to redirect focus on backing the team in the matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda on Friday and next Tuesday, respectively.
“Obviously I was disappointed and looking at the performance, the efforts the boys showed or put out there throughout the games that they’ve played,” said Khumalo.
“And then there you are you’re losing three points in the boardroom. It was not 90 minutes. It was a 10 minutes decision and that 10 minutes, if not seconds or minutes, it actually tells you that you might not go to the World Cup.
“They haven’t lost a game, sitting there on top, cruising and then boom, oh we lost the first game to Lesotho 2-0.
“When you are docked points in the boardroom it is so sad. It’s so sad hence I’m saying let’s now focus on our vision. Let’s now focus on what we are all about as South Africa we will deal with other things when we come back. Let’s park those issues and focus here.
“You know let’s give strength to Hugo Broos and his technical team and also the players. We need to fill up those stadiums as much as we’ve done this before in both Durban and Mbombela.
“Let’s focus on that and let’s see where we end up because if you want to be a champion, that comes with pain. This is the pain that we are experiencing now.
“This is what we call footballing problems so let’s not allow the footballing problems dictate our goal, our vision. Let’s move forward. Let’s support the boys.”
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