FIFA’s Bombshell on Bafana Bafana: Points Deduction Drama Unfolds While Kaizer Chiefs’ Coach Nabi Drops a Shocking Exit – ‘Timing Isn’t Right, But the Fans Are Furious!’
FIFA has dropped a serious bombshell on South African football, igniting a firestorm of controversy with disciplinary charges against the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana Bafana midfielder Deuena Mua.
The charge? Fielding an ineligible player during a crucial World Cup qualifier, a blunder that could cost the national team dearly.
According to reports from SABC Sport, the 28-year-old Mua was fielded in South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lutu in Bulguane on March 21, 2025.
However, the problem lies in the fact that Mua was under suspension due to accumulating two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign—one against Benin in November 2023 and another against Zimbabwe in June 2024.
Under FIFA’s strict disciplinary regulations, this accumulation mandates a one-match ban, meaning Mua should not have been eligible to play.
The gravity of this oversight became official when FIFA sent a letter dated September 15, 2025, confirming that both Mua and SAFA face charges for breaching disciplinary rules, including the fielding of an ineligible player.
The case has now been referred to FIFA’s disciplinary committee, and the association along with the player have been given six days to submit a formal response.
If found guilty, the consequences could be harsh.
Bafana Bafana may be forced to forfeit their win against Lutu, with the match potentially overturned to a 3-0 victory in favor of the opposition.
This would not only strip South Africa of valuable points but also shake up the standings in Group C.
Currently, South Africa sits atop the group with 14 points, but a deduction would leave them clinging to the top spot by goal difference alone—plus six compared to Benin’s plus four.
The fallout doesn’t stop there.
Lutu would leap from six to nine points, inching closer to Nigeria and Rwanda, who both hold 11 points.
This shift would intensify the pressure on South African coach Hugo Bruce and his squad, who must now secure victories against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final qualifiers to maintain their lead.
Benin, too, faces a critical juncture, with upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and Nigeria that could determine which teams advance to the next stage of qualifying.
The entire group is suddenly thrown into a nail-biting scramble, all because of one administrative error.
SAFA has yet to issue a public statement on the matter, leaving fans and analysts alike speculating on the outcome.
The football community is divided: will FIFA enforce the full punishment and strip South Africa of their win, or will the association escape with a fine and a warning?
The stakes could not be higher, and the drama is far from over.
As if this scandal wasn’t enough to dominate headlines, the Premier Soccer League has its own shocker.
Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa’s most storied clubs, have announced the sudden departure of their Tunisian coach Nazin Nabi.
The news came as a surprise just weeks into the new season, especially given the promising start Nabi had orchestrated for the Amakosi.
In an exclusive interview with Win-Win, Nabi revealed that his exit was a mutual decision with the club’s management.
The coach cited personal reasons, specifically the need to focus on his family and support his wife’s health challenges.
“Currently, I need some time to rest, focus more on my family, and monitor my wife’s health, which has required me to be by her side over the past period,” Nabi explained.
Despite stepping away from the high-pressure world of professional football, Nabi admitted that his coaching services remain in high demand.
Several clubs across Africa and the Arab world have already reached out, eager to secure his expertise.
However, the coach insists that his immediate priority is rest, not rushing into another role.
“Indeed, several major African and Arab clubs have contacted me, but I will not enter into any negotiations at this time as my priority is to take a temporary break and get some rest,” Nabi stated.
Among the interested parties is the Tunisian powerhouse Club Sportif Sfaxien, but Nabi clarified that he is not considering a return to coaching in Tunisia anytime soon.
“I respect this great club and its large fan base, but the timing isn’t right for me,” he added.
Nabi’s departure leaves Kaizer Chiefs facing an early managerial shakeup, forcing the club to act swiftly to find a replacement.
Despite the promising start to the season under Nabi’s guidance, the team now faces uncertainty that could impact their campaign.
Fans have been vocal on social media, expressing both support and concern.
Some urged for Nabi’s wife to receive medical treatment in South Africa, praising the country’s medical facilities.
Others lamented the loss of a coach who delivered the club’s first major cup win in a decade, crediting him for ending a long drought.
Still, not all reactions were positive.
Some fans criticized Nabi for frequently highlighting his market demand, suggesting that his departure was a strategic move to explore better offers.
Others called for a clean slate, hoping the club would bring in a new coach with fresh support staff to steer the team forward.
Despite the mixed reactions, one thing is clear: Nabi’s tenure at Kaizer Chiefs, though brief, left a lasting impact.
His ability to bring entertainment and success to the team earned him respect and gratitude from many supporters.
As the dust settles from these seismic events in South African football, questions loom large.
Will FIFA’s disciplinary ruling derail Bafana Bafana’s World Cup dreams?
Can Kaizer Chiefs recover quickly from the sudden loss of their coach?
And what does the future hold for Nazin Nabi, the man caught between personal battles and professional acclaim?
One thing is certain: the drama unfolding on and off the pitch has captivated fans and pundits alike, proving once again that football is never just a game—it’s a saga filled with triumph, heartbreak, and unexpected twists.
Stay tuned as this story develops, because in the world of football, the next shock is always just around the corner.
