World’s football governing body, FIFA, has officially opened disciplinary proceedings against South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena, and If investigated thoroughly, it could have serious consequences for Bafana Bafana, and potentially boost Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying hopes to an extent.
Mokoena, Bafana Bafana midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers – First against Benin in November 2023 and then against Zimbabwe in June 2024 -which, under FIFA rules, triggered a one match ban.
The incident occurred on 21 March 2025 in Polokwane, when South Africa defeated Lesotho 2:0.
In a letter to South African Football Association (SAFA) dated 15 September 2025 confirmed that both and the player and the association face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of ineligible player.
The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with SAFA and Mokoena given six days to submit their response. If guilty, Bafana Bafana could be force to forfeit the result of the match, which would hand Lesotho a 3:0 victory in paper, while other sanctions such as fines or suspensions could be imposed.
However, should a forfeit be handed down by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Hugo Broos’ charges will find themselves level points with Benin (14) after eight matches, but remain top with a superior goal difference of +6 to The Cheetahs’ +4.
Lesotho, meanwhile, will find their tally bumped up from six points to nine, but will remain in fifth position, two points behind third-place Nigeria and fourth-place Rwanda on 11 points.
South Africa will have to beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final two qualifiers in October, provided Benin do not slip up against The Wasps and the Super Eagles, who will have to win both their remaining matches and hope Bafana Bafana slip up in either in both of their fixtures.
South African Football Association (SAFA) has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
-9News Nigeria.
