The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025.
Mokoena accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, making him ineligible to play.
As a result of the sanction, South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho has been overturned, and they would be awarded a 3-0 defeat instead.
The decision has impacted the standings in Group C of the African Zone qualifiers.
South Africa’s position has drops to second place, behind Benin on goal difference.
Responding, the South African Football Association has expressed disappointment with the decision and has announced plans to appeal to the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period.
SAFA has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536), while Mokoena has received a formal warning.
The sanction could prove decisive in the tight Group C standings, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles follow closely in third place with 11 points.
The final phase of the qualification series is set for October, and the group standings could be decided on the final matchday.
