The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed it will appeal FIFA’s ruling in the ineligibility case involving midfielder Teboho Mokoena, Afrosport reports.
FIFA on Monday sanctioned SAFA after Mokoena featured in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March, despite being suspended.
The 28-year-old had picked up two yellow cards in earlier matches and was due to sit out the fixture against the Crocodiles. However, an oversight by the technical team saw him play 82 minutes as Bafana Bafana went on to win 2-0.
The case dragged on for months before FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee delivered its verdict, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory and fining SAFA CHF 10,000.
In response, the South African football body has vowed to contest the decision through FIFA’s Appeals Committee within the permitted 10-day window.
“The South African Football Association (SAFA) acknowledges a ruling by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee which sanctioned the Association for erroneously fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Lesotho played on 21 March 2025,” SAFA said in a defiant statement.
“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments. The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.”
The ruling sees South Africa drop into second place in Group C, level on points with Benin Republic but behind on goal difference. Hugo Broos’ men return to action in the October international break, hosting Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 10 October, before welcoming Rwanda to Mbombela Stadium four days later.
SAFA’s statement also apologised to South Africans for the blunder while rallying support for the team ahead of two decisive fixtures.
“Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign,” the statement added. “The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead.
“We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers.”
