South Africa risk losing three points as FIFA opens case against Mokoena

FIFA has officially opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena for allegedly breaching disciplinary regulations during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The lawsuit stems from Mokoena’s information successful South Africa’s 2–0 triumph implicit Lesotho connected March 21, 2025, successful Polokwane, contempt being suspended.

The 28-year-old midfielder had picked up 2 yellowish cards earlier successful the qualifiers — archetypal against Benin successful November 2023 and again against Zimbabwe successful June 2024 — which, nether FIFA rules, should person resulted successful a one-match ban.

In a missive to SAFA dated September 15, 2025, and seen by the SABC, FIFA confirmed that some the subordinate and the relation are facing charges related to the fielding of an ineligible player.

The lawsuit has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which has fixed SAFA and Mokoena six days to taxable their response.

If recovered guilty, South Africa could beryllium forced to forfeit the effect of the match, handing Lesotho a 3–0 triumph connected paper. Additional sanctions, specified arsenic fines oregon suspensions, could besides follow.

Such a ruling would spot Bafana level connected 14 points with Benin aft 8 matches but enactment apical of Group C acknowledgment to a superior extremity quality (+6 to Benin’s +4).

Lesotho, meanwhile, would determination from six to 9 points but stay fifth, 2 points down Nigeria and Rwanda, who are some tied connected 11 points.

This improvement present places unit connected manager Hugo Broos and his men, who indispensable decision Zimbabwe and Rwanda successful their last 2 qualifiers successful October to warrant qualification — assuming Benin bash not driblet points against Rwanda and Nigeria, who themselves indispensable triumph some games and anticipation South Africa falter.

SAFA has yet to contented an authoritative connection connected the case.

Vanguard News

The station South Africa hazard losing 3 points arsenic FIFA opens lawsuit against Mokoena appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.