What started as a promising campaign for Bafana Bafana has taken a major hit.
South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dealt a serious blow after FIFA penalized the team for fielding an ineligible player during their March qualifier against Lesotho.
The Eligibility Oversight That Changed Everything
Teboho Mokoena, a key player for the national side, was supposed to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards.
However, he played in the 2-0 victory over Lesotho on 21 March 2025 in Polokwane.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that this violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.
Match Forfeited and Points Docked
The fallout was immediate and severe:
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South Africa’s 2-0 win was overturned, and the match was officially awarded as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.
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Bafana Bafana lost three crucial points and dropped from the top spot in Group C.
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Benin now leads the group, leapfrogging South Africa.
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The South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined CHF 10,000 (around R220,000).
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Mokoena received a formal warning.
FIFA’s official statement confirmed the ruling, noting that SAFA must pay the fine and that the match has been forfeited.
Group C Standings Shake-Up
Before the ruling:
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South Africa had 17 points from 8 matches.
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Benin was trailing with 14 points.
After the ruling:
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South Africa drops to 14 points, placing them behind Benin due to goal difference or head-to-head records.
This sudden shift has put immense pressure on the national team as they navigate the remaining qualifiers.
SAFA Faces Intense Scrutiny
The administrative error has sparked criticism toward SAFA and coach Hugo Broos’ staff.
The oversight is now under the microscope, as this simple mistake could have significant consequences in a tightly contested qualification group.
SAFA has the option to appeal the ruling within 10 days, but until any appeal is successful, the forfeiture stands.
What Lies Ahead for Bafana Bafana
With just two matches left in the group stage, South Africa must now treat both fixtures as must-win encounters:
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Zimbabwe on Friday, 10 October at 18:00
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Rwanda on Tuesday, 14 October at 18:00
Meanwhile, Benin will play against Rwanda and Nigeria, which could further complicate South Africa’s path.
To keep qualification hopes alive, Bafana Bafana may need a perfect six points from six available.
Fans and Analysts Voice Frustration
Supporters, pundits, and former players have expressed outrage at what many describe as a “rookie administrative error.”
The timing is particularly frustrating, coming just as the national team had regained momentum under Broos.
For further clarity, SAFA may request a motivated decision from FIFA, which would then be made publicly available on legal.fifa.com.