Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes have been dealt a major blow after FIFA deducted three points for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena.
The midfielder featured in South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, despite having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the campaign. According to FIFA regulations, Mokoena should have served a one-match suspension.
As a result, the Disciplinary Committee overturned the result, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory. Bafana, who had led Group C with 17 points from eight games, now drop to second place on the table – level on points with Benin, who now occupy the top spot due to a better goal-difference.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations,” FIFA confirmed in a statement.
“Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.
“SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.”
SAFA has 10 days to request a full written ruling and could yet appeal the decision before FIFA’s Appeal Committee.
Hugo Broos’ men must now win their final two matches – against Zimbabwe and Rwanda – to stand a chance of reclaiming top spot. Benin, meanwhile, face Rwanda and Nigeria in their last qualifiers.