The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, played on March 21, 2025.
FIFA ruled that Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualifiers against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024 should have served a one-match suspension. Instead, he featured for 82 minutes in South Africa’s 2-0 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
As a result, FIFA has annulled the result, awarding a 3-0 win to Lesotho, and deducted three points from South Africa. SAFA was also fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received a formal warning.
The decision means South Africa drop from first to second in CAF Group C, with Benin moving top on goal difference. Nigeria, currently third, also stand to benefit from the ruling as they push for qualification.
FIFA emphasized that its disciplinary code is clear: “If a team fields a player who is not eligible to participate, the match is automatically forfeited. The default result is a 3-0 loss, unless the actual result was even more disadvantageous to the offending team.”
SAFA and Mokoena were notified of the ruling on Monday and have 10 days to appeal. If an appeal is lodged, the FIFA Appeal Committee will review the case.
Reacting earlier, South Africa head coach Hugo Broos admitted fault, saying: “We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint.”
Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, had previously urged FIFA to act swiftly, calling the issue “a clear case.”
The ruling adds fresh intrigue to Group C, with South Africa set to face Zimbabwe on October 10 and Rwanda on October 14, while Benin clash with Rwanda and Nigeria. Nigeria, meanwhile, take on Lesotho on October 10 before meeting Benin in a potentially decisive fixture on October 14.
Only the winners of Africa’s nine qualifying groups will book automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup. The four best second-placed teams will compete in a playoff round for a chance at one additional slot.
