The South African Football Association (SAFA) employee(s) who almost cost Bafana Bafana their FIFA 2026 World Cup spot will face no punishment, according to president Danny Jordaan. You would be forgiven for thinking heads would roll for the grave error, but no, it is business as usual at SAFA House. Bafana Bafana were almost home and dry when FIFA acted and sanctioned Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in midfielder Teboho Mokoena, in the 2-0 win over Lesotho played…

Former Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki is set to take over as the technical director for the South African Football Association (SAFA). The Association’s technical committee has opted for Ntseki to replace Dr Walter Steenbok, who had been in the position from September 2022 until stepping down in April 2025. Ntseki is a familiar face at SAFA House, having been Bafana Bafana coach from 2019 to 2021, when he was sacked after the national team failed to qualify for the…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) and French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif have announced the conclusion of their five-year partnership, set to officially end in December 2025. “Launched just prior to the global pandemic, the collaboration has been defined by landmark achievements and powerful moments in South African football ” noted SAFA. “Together, SAFA and Le Coq Sportif celebrated Banyana Banyana’s historic victory at the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their qualification for the 2023 FIFA…

Judge Hilton Epstein has provided the main reason he declared Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman free agents, paving the way for the duo to kickstart their respective careers with Kaizer Chiefs. In a 34-page ruling, which is in possession of African Times, Epstein had no trouble making a decision. Despite being relegated to the amateur level—the ABC Motsepe League—Cape Town Spurs insisted the players had to honour their contracts, but the players were declared free agents by the Premier Soccer…

Footballers Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman are now at liberty to fulfill their dreams of playing for Kaizer Chiefs following a ruling in their favour by a South African Football Association (SAFA) arbitrator. Velebayi, 22, and Baartman, 19, were officially signed by Amakhosi two months ago on free transfers but were both barred from turning out for the Soweto giants after their former club, Cape Town Spurs, challenged their moves. The duo won their cases when they were declared free…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has issued a statement to acknowledge their fault in the fielding of an ineligible player that has cost Bafana Bafana three points in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. FIFA confirmed on Monday that they have docked three points from Bafana Bafana after midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, despite being suspended after accumulating two yellow cards. Bafana Bafana have dropped to second position in Group C,…

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) is taking the South African Football Association (SAFA) to the Pretoria High Court due to the latter’s “failure to have disputes heard and resolved in employment-related cases”. In a statement, SAFPU says: “The High Court case specifically relates to eleven of SAFPU’s members who have been denied access to justice” African Times has established that SAFA has been served with the court papers. “SAFPU is taking SAFA to the country’s High Court due…

Bafana Bafana will be looking to banish their bad memories at Mbombela Stadium when they face Rwanda in the last match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao has confirmed Mbombela will host the match. “We are playing in Mbombela,” said Monyepao. “But (Bafana coach) Hugo Broos says he doesn’t care where he plays, but the field has to be in tip-top shape. I think you saw that we had issues in…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has opened up and given reasons why certain key players are not part of the squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup. Questions were raised why Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was omitted from the team. “Mbekezeli Mbokazi was not considered as part of an agreement between (Amajita coach) Raymond Mdaka and his Bafana Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos. The defender will be part of the Bafana Bafana squad that will play two crucial 2026…

Lesotho FA secretary general Mokhosi Mohapi has called out the South African Football Association for being “arrogant” ahead of Friday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium. Mohapi has been in the news all week for being at the forefront of the matter involving Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The Lesotho FA have stated in no uncertain terms that they would lodge a protest if Mokoena features against them. This goes back to March this year, when Mokoena…