South Africa’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages have suffered a significant blow after influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ruled out of their decisive final group match against South Korea through suspension.
Mokoena, who rescued Bafana Bafana with a crucial penalty in their 1-1 draw against Czechia, picked up a yellow card that will now force him to miss one of the most important matches of South Africa’s World Cup campaign.
The booking has added to growing concerns over the team’s disciplinary record, with coach Hugo Broos admitting that accumulating cards could prove costly as the tournament progresses.
“It’s a pity that we got again two yellow cards,” Broos said after the draw.
“During a tournament, if we go through that, we’ll have to pay cash. They are not the weakest players in our team. They are one of the best players in our team.”
The midfielder has been one of South Africa’s standout performers and once again delivered when his country needed him most, calmly converting from the penalty spot to earn a valuable point against Czechia.
South Africa enter the final group fixture needing a positive result to keep their hopes of progression alive, but they will have to do so without a player who has become central to both their defensive stability and attacking transitions.
Mokoena’s suspension also highlights a wider problem that has followed Bafana Bafana through the tournament.
READMORE: PREVIEW: Group C hangs in the balance as Scotland and Morocco collide
So far, South Africa have accumulated four yellow cards and two red cards, leaving them with a damaging fair-play record of minus 20 points. While Broos praised the commitment and passion shown by his players, he acknowledged that emotional decisions and avoidable bookings are becoming a concern.
The coach pointed to the inexperience of many members of the squad on the global stage as a contributing factor.
“This is a team with not much experience except on the continent of Africa,” Broos explained.
“So we learn a lot in those games we play here now.”
He referenced Mokoena’s booking as an example of a player whose emotions sometimes got the better of him, while also stressing that the midfielder’s commitment to the cause remains beyond question.
“There is also a good side,” Broos said. “That means the mentality of Teboho is very good. And that pleased me more than the yellow card he got.”
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
South Korea represents South Africa’s final hurdle in Group A, and Broos has already warned that the Asian side will present a very different challenge to the physical threat posed by Czechia.
Describing the Koreans as a disciplined and relentlessly energetic team, the Belgian coach knows his side will need every available weapon to compete.
Losing Mokoena removes one of Bafana Bafana’s most reliable performers at a moment when margins are likely to be extremely fine.
