The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has handed the South African Football Association heavy sanctions for fielding an ineligible player in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
FIFA announced on Monday that midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the March 21, 2025 fixture in Johannesburg, was not eligible to feature in the game. The global body ruled that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As punishment, FIFA declared the match forfeited and awarded Lesotho a 3-0 victory.
In addition, SAFA has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (about ₦18 million), while Mokoena received a formal warning.
“The parties have been notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision. They have ten days to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would be published,” FIFA said in a statement.
The ruling is still open to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The sanction has immediate impact on the standings. South Africa’s 2-0 victory in the match has been nullified, costing Bafana Bafana three points in Group C. Before the ruling, they were top with 17 points, three clear of Benin. With the deduction, Benin now move ahead in the table.
Lesotho, who had lost the original tie, gain three points that could prove crucial in their qualification hopes.
Mokoena, 28, is one of the star players in coach Hugo Broos’ squad, but his involvement has now plunged SAFA into controversy.
