South Africa‘s Bafana Bafana risk points deduction for fielding an ineligible player in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho last Friday.
Currently leading Group C with 13 points after a 2-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday night, South Africa’s advantage could be reduced due to the eligibility controversy.
Mokoena’s suspension oversight
Teboho Mokoena played a key role in South Africa’s win over Lesotho in round five qualifiers, but he should not have featured as he had accumulated two yellow cards—one on matchday one against Benin in 2023 and another on matchday four against Zimbabwe in 2024—triggering an automatic one-match ban.
A South African Football Association (SAFA) official, speaking anonymously, admitted to the error.
“The team management were guilty of incompetence ahead of the Lesotho match. Mokoena should not have played,” the official told AFP.
However, FIFA regulations state that protests must be lodged within 24 hours of a match’s conclusion. Reports indicate that Lesotho may not have filed a formal protest in time.
Lesotho seeks FIFA clarification
Lesotho Football Association secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi confirmed to AFP that a formal inquiry had been sent to FIFA and CAF regarding Mokoena’s participation but did not specify when it was submitted. According to FIFA’s disciplinary code, “the 24-hour limit (for protests) cannot be extended.”
South Africa’s response and victory over Benin
In response to the controversy, South Africa sidelined Mokoena for their sixth-round match against Benin. Despite dominating possession, Bafana Bafana only broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Fawaaz Basadien’s cross was turned into the net by Burnley forward Lyle Foster.
The victory was sealed six minutes from time when an Oswin Appollis free-kick was headed home by substitute Jayden Adams.
Group C standings and Nigeria’s potential boost
The win lifted South Africa to 13 points as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they participated as hosts.
Rwanda and Benin both have eight points, Nigeria sits at seven, Lesotho at six, and Zimbabwe at four.
Should Lesotho’s appeal over Mokoena’s ineligibility be successful, South Africa could be deducted three points, dropping to 10 points with four rounds of matches remaining.
Nigeria held by Zimbabwe
In another Group C match, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa scored an injury-time equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Uyo. Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria ahead in the 74th minute, but the late goal denied the Super Eagles a crucial win.
