The South African national football team, Bafana Bafana, is under scrutiny and faces the possibility of a points deduction after fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho on March 21, 2025. Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualification matches, one against Benin in November 2023 and another against Zimbabwe in June 2024, rendering him ineligible to participate in the match against Lesotho, according to FIFA regulations.
FIFA's Disciplinary Code stipulates that a player who receives cautions in two separate matches of the same competition is automatically suspended from the next match. By fielding Mokoena despite his suspension, South Africa may have violated these regulations, potentially leading to sanctions.
According to Section 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the consequences of such an infraction could include the forfeiture of the match and a minimum fine of CHF 6,000. Additionally, the player involved may face further disciplinary measures.
This development has significant implications for South Africa's World Cup qualification campaign. Currently leading Group C, a points deduction could alter their standing and affect their chances of securing direct qualification. The South African Football Association (SAFA) has the opportunity to lodge a protest or appeal within the stipulated timeframe, as outlined in FIFA's regulations.
The outcome of this situation will be closely monitored by stakeholders, as it not only impacts South Africa but also other teams in the group, including Nigeria, whose qualification prospects could be affected by any changes in the group standings.
This incident underscores the importance of meticulous adherence to competition regulations and the potential repercussions of administrative oversights in international football. As the qualification campaign progresses, teams will need to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements to avoid similar issues that could jeopardize their World Cup aspirations.