"What's better and what's nicer than going to a World Cup?"

The South Africa head coach reflects on an eventful World Cup qualifying campaign and looks ahead to next year's finals, AFCON and retirement

- Mark Gleeson

A three-point deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena when he should have been suspended in the World Cup qualifiers made life difficult for you, but you finally secured your place in the 2026 tournament.

We were in a very good position, and then suddenly they [FIFA] deducted the three points. I said it before, we made a mistake, but we never thought that we would have points [deducted] six months after it happened. That shows the pressure that some countries put on FIFA to reopen the case, because there was a disciplinary commission that at three times [after the incident in March] never dealt with the matter. We felt, okay, there was no complaint. There was nothing. And then one week before the last two crucial qualifiers, suddenly we were deducted three points.

How much extra pressure did that situation put on you?