South Africa’s hopes of topping their World Cup qualifying group suffered a major setback on Monday after FIFA sanctioned the team for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. The punishment overturned Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victory in Polokwane on March 21 and awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win.
The decision has reshuffled Group C standings, dropping South Africa to second place behind Benin on goal difference and putting renewed pressure on their qualification campaign.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee confirmed that South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena despite his accumulation of two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe.
According to the ruling, Mokoena should have been suspended for the Lesotho clash but was included in the starting lineup, leading to what FIFA deemed a clear breach of regulations.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $12,500) in addition to losing the three points from the match. SAFA has been given the option to appeal the verdict before FIFA’s Appeals Committee, though no decision has been announced on whether it will pursue that route.
The ruling comes at a critical time in the qualification process, where every point is vital. Group C remains tightly contested, and South Africa’s drop from first to second could have significant implications as the qualifiers approach the halfway stage. The result also hands Lesotho a morale boost despite their position near the bottom of the table.
Impact on South Africa’s World Cup Campaign
The sanction has thrown Bafana Bafana’s qualifying campaign into uncertainty. Before the ruling, South Africa led the group and had momentum following their win over Lesotho. Now, they must recover quickly to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
Coach Hugo Broos faces a renewed challenge in rallying his team ahead of upcoming fixtures, as the loss of points adds pressure to secure results in remaining matches. Any slip-ups could open the door for rivals Benin and Nigeria to strengthen their positions in the group.
Analysts suggest that the team will have to approach the next set of games with a knockout mentality. South Africa’s fans, who have been vocal in their support, will be expecting a strong response when the qualifiers resume. Failure to qualify for the World Cup would be a major setback, given the country’s recent resurgence in international football.
Recurring Issues with Eligibility and Sanctions in African Football
South Africa’s situation is not unique. FIFA’s disciplinary measures for fielding ineligible players have become increasingly common in African qualifiers, often altering the course of campaigns. Teams such as Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo, and even Nigeria have previously been sanctioned for similar infractions, with points overturned and matches forfeited.
These incidents highlight ongoing administrative lapses across several football associations, where player suspensions, registration details, and disciplinary records are sometimes mismanaged. Such oversights can have costly consequences, not only in lost points but also in disrupted team morale and reputational damage.
The latest case underscores FIFA’s commitment to enforcing its regulations strictly and ensuring fairness in competition. For South Africa, it is a reminder that attention to detail off the pitch is just as important as performance on it.
South Africa’s road to the 2026 World Cup has now become more complicated, but all is not lost. With several matches still to play, Bafana Bafana have the opportunity to reclaim top spot if they respond decisively. The next few months will test their resilience, as well as SAFA’s ability to avoid further administrative missteps that could derail their campaign.
See also: Rooney says Manchester United is finished
Discover more from RainSMediaRadio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
