PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major blow after FIFA deducted three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho earlier this year.
The ruling has reshaped Group C standings with Benin now topping the group with 14 points and a +4 goal difference.
The controversy revolves around midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the March 21, 2025, qualifier at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane despite being suspended.
Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers one against Benin in November 2023 and another against Zimbabwe in June 2024 which under FIFA rules meant he was automatically required to sit out the next match.
South Africa’s management failed to enforce this suspension and included him in the starting lineup.
The Lesotho Football Association promptly lodged a complaint with FIFA, asserting that South Africa had violated disciplinary regulations and should forfeit the match.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found the South African Football Association (SAFA) guilty of breaching Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a result, the original 2-0 win has been overturned, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho. SAFA has also been fined CHF 10,000 (approximately $11,000), and Mokoena received an official warning.
The timing of the ruling is particularly damaging for South Africa, leaving them with a much harder path to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America.
The incident has sparked criticism of SAFA’s administrative systems. In an era where data management tools can easily track player eligibility, many see the oversight as a serious lapse that not only cost points but also damaged the nation’s international football reputation.
Mokoena’s yellow card record is well documented, making a successful appeal highly challenging.
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