Despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Bafana Bafana had a distinct advantage in their Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign according to Benin coach Gernot Rohr.
Of course, it was completely Bafana’s fault for playing Teboho Mokoena when he should have been suspended in a qualifier match against Lesotho in March. Almost six months later, Fifa finally ruled on the matter and SA’s 2-0 win in that clash was changed to a 3-0 loss.
The Fifa ruling came just before South Africa’s final two qualifier matches.
It meant South Africa went from 17 points, back down level with Benin on 14 ahead of the conclusion of their campaign. Rohr, though, highlighted the fact that Bafana played the majority of their matches at home (even though this was due to opposition not being able to host matches in their own country).
Rohr Highlights South Africa’s Home Advantage for South Africa
“My team was ready, they made good progress, worked hard, and when you see that South Africa, from the 10 games played, seven games at home [and] only two games away in Rwanda and Nigeria. Against us, it was in the Ivory Coast,” said Rohr.
“So it was a big advantage for South Africa, it’s not equal.”
As the Hugo Broos-led Bafana beat Rwanda 3-0 in the final round of Fifa World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, it meant South Africa finished top of Group C to punch their ticket to the quadrennial showpiece.
South Africa can also be quite grateful to Nigeria, who beat Benin 4-0 in their final match to allow Bafana to leapfrog the West Africans into top spot.
It’s been 24 years since Bafana last qualified for the 2002 World Cup, as they were granted automatic entry to the 2010 edition as hosts.
@Michael_Sherman
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