In what will prove crucial in the race for an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa are in danger of losing three precious points in the qualifying series after making the error of fielding a suspended player.
Bafana Bafana fielded Mamelodi Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win against Lesotho, with goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams handing them the three points.
But Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe, making him ineligible for the Lesotho clash. Hiis participation went unnoticed until after the game, putting South Africa at risk of a points deduction.
“The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points. We were made aware of Mokoena’s bookings and we have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and FIFA,” Lesotho Football Association General Secretary Mokhosi Mohapi said.
Mohapi added, “We have heard that Nigeria also want to protest and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points, Bafana would have done the same.”
The Lesotho football executive was sympathetic towards South Africa but declared the points are important. “Unfortunately, the law is the law and SAFA should have known about the bookings. We have no hard feelings. We want those points,” he said.
FIFA’s disciplinary rules (Article 63.1) states that two yellow cards in separate matches result in an automatic one-match suspension. In cases where an ineligible player is fielded (Article 19.1), FIFA’s judicial bodies can impose disciplinary action, considering the competition’s integrity.
If a protest is filed and a player is ruled ineligible (Article 19.2), the team forfeits the match and faces a fine of at least CHF 6,000, with the player also facing possible sanctions. However, a formal protest must be lodged within two hours after the game and followed up within 24 hours, which Lesotho failed to do.
FIFA’s rules on player suspensions (Article 9.3) clearly state that accumulated yellow cards in qualifiers carry over to the next match.