Hope for Nigeria – Bafana Bafana lose points over rule breach
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 29.09.25. | 22:14
South Africa has been deducted three points and are now second in Group C
When played against Lesotho in mid-March this year, South Africa’s delegation made a crucial mistake – they fielded Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible at the time after receiving two yellow cards and this decision came back to haunt them and to possible leave them out of the World Cup 2026. Today, world football governing body FIFA announced that Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victory from March 2025 has been changed into a 3-0 defeat meaning they are dropped to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain fifth.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned South African Football Association for fielding ineligible player Teboho Mokoena vs. Lesotho in March’s World Cup qualifier.
— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) September 29, 2025
South Africa must forfeit the match 3-0 and pay a CHF 10,000 fine to FIFA.
SAFA has 10 days to appeal. pic.twitter.com/Ae4twww6mZ
South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing Teboho Mokoena after the midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards against Benin and then Zimbabwe, the football body's disciplinary committee said. The South African FA, which can still appeal the decision, must also pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs. The ruling offers a lifeline to Nigeria who move back to within three points of the top two going into the final two rounds of qualifiers next month. Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for next year's World Cup. The four best runners-up will go into play-offs which could grant Africa a 10th spot in the finals.
Two weeks ago, Lesotho have vowed to take their complaint to FIFA if South Africa field midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their Group C match. The Secretary General of the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA), Mokhosi Mohap, said that they will not hesitate to act if the Bafana Bafana star appears in Hugo Broos’ squad.
“We want to make it very clear. If South Africa lists Teboho Mokoena in their squad, we will lodge an official protest. The rules must be applied fairly, and we will protect the integrity of this qualification process. The game he missed against Benin was because he was dropped, not suspended. So the moment we see his name on the team sheet, we will lodge a protest to FIFA” Mohap warned.
