FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena, following allegations that the player was fielded while ineligible during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Afrosport reports.
Mokoena played in South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March, despite having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign — one against Benin in November 2023 and another versus Zimbabwe in June 2024.
Under FIFA regulations, this should have triggered a one-match suspension, effectively ruling him out of the fixture held in Polokwane.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was named in the starting XI at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and featured until the 82nd minute, when he was replaced by Thalente Mbatha.
The situation prompted concerns from other Group C teams, with the Lesotho Football Association officially lodging a complaint with FIFA.
After several months of silence, FIFA confirmed in a letter dated 15 September that both SAFA and Mokoena are facing charges related to breaches of disciplinary regulations, including fielding an ineligible player.
The case has been handed over to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, with both the player and the national association given six days to respond.
A guilty verdict could see Bafana Bafana forfeit the victory, with a 3–0 win awarded to Lesotho. Additional sanctions may also follow.
South Africa currently lead Group C with 17 points, but a reversed result could significantly alter the group standings — potentially bringing Benin level on points.
For Lesotho, the decision would increase their tally to nine points, though they would remain in fifth place, two points adrift of Nigeria and Rwanda, who are tied in third and fourth respectively.
Head coach Hugo Broos will now be under added pressure as South Africa prepare for their final two qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October.
