The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been hit with sanctions after FIFA ruled that Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player in their 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary qualifier against Lesotho.
FIFA Ruling
According to a statement from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, midfielder Teboho Mokoena was not eligible to play in the Group C clash on 21 March 2025, which South Africa had initially won. The incident was deemed a violation of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a result, FIFA has declared the match forfeited in favour of Lesotho, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded.
Financial Penalty and Player Warning
In addition to the points deduction, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000 (approx. R210,000). Meanwhile, Mokoena himself has escaped with a warning rather than a suspension, though the ruling places scrutiny on SAFA’s administrative processes.
Appeal Process
The decision was officially communicated to SAFA today. They now have ten days to request a detailed motivated decision, which would then be published on FIFA’s legal website. Importantly, the sanction remains open to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Updated Group C Standings
Following the deduction, the race in CAF World Cup Qualifying Group C has tightened significantly:
- Benin – 14 pts (+4)
- South Africa – 14 pts (+3)
- Nigeria – 11 pts (+2)
- Rwanda – 11 pts (0)
- Lesotho – 9 pts (-3)
- Zimbabwe – 4 pts
With goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head records serving as tie-breakers, Bafana Bafana now find themselves under mounting pressure with just a slim margin separating them from Nigeria and Rwanda.
What This Means for Bafana Bafana
The sanction comes at a critical stage of the qualifiers, where every point is crucial. South Africa, previously in a strong position to top the group, must now regroup quickly as the path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become much more complicated.
Related article: Bafana Bafana in Trouble: FIFA Investigates Mokoena Suspension Case
