World football governing body, FIFA, has opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) for allegedly fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.
According to a report by SABC Sport, FIFA confirmed in a letter dated September 15, 2025, that both Mokoena and SAFA have been charged with breaching disciplinary regulations, including the use of a player who should have been suspended. The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, and the parties have six days to submit their defence.
The 28-year-old midfielder was reportedly ineligible after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying series, first against Benin in November 2023 and again against Zimbabwe in June 2024. Under FIFA rules, those bookings triggered a one-match suspension which should have ruled him out of the Lesotho clash.
If found guilty, South Africa risk forfeiting the match, which would award Lesotho a 3–0 win on paper. FIFA could also impose additional sanctions such as fines or suspensions.
South Africa currently top Group C with 17 points, but a points deduction would bring them level with Benin on 14 and cut their lead over Nigeria to just three points, keeping the race for the group’s automatic World Cup spot wide open with two matches remaining.
A forfeited result would also boost Lesotho from six to nine points, placing them two points behind third-placed Nigeria and fourth-placed Rwanda, who each have 11 points.
South Africa are scheduled to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their remaining qualifiers in October, while Nigeria will play away to Lesotho and host Benin Republic, hoping the Bafana Bafana falter.
FIFA recently handed a similar punishment to Equatorial Guinea for fielding an ineligible player, Emilio Nsue, during the qualifiers, a decision upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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