Parliament, Tuesday, 30 September 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture has decided to postpone an upcoming meeting with the South African Football Association.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Joe McGluwa, said the generous act is intended to allow Bafana Bafana good preparation and to ensure that nothing will divide the team’s attention.
FIFA penalised South Africa for fielding a player that had two yellow cards, and which was ineligible to play in the game against Lesotho. The sanction was announced on Monday.
“Points deduction is a huge misstep and set back for the team. But as the committee we believe not all is lost as the team had already placed itself at such a commanding position,” said Mr McGluwa.
Mr McGluwa said the team was incredibly best if one compared its performance with that of Nigeria whose entire team is based in Europe, paid in Euros and Pounds.
“We understand this very complex situation is negative for SAFA and as the committee we do not want to be an additional burden. The team has shown its determination and also changed the narrative of sport in the country.”
The committee postponed its scheduled engagement with SAFA as it did not want to be a further distraction and wanted to allow the team the best preparation possible for what is the task at hand.
South Africa will play Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium and play again in Mpumalanga on the 14th of October. Mr McGluwa called on South Africans to be there for the team and said the country has in the past shown resilience across sporting codes. “This time is no different, we wish the team all of the best against Zimbabwe,” added Mr McGluwa.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE, MR JOE MACGLUWA.
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Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
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