World Cup boost for Nigeria as Lesotho reports South Africa to FIFA over ineligible player

The Lesotho Football Association (LFA) has confirmed that it has officially sent a notice to FIFA concerning South Africa fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their CAF World Cup qualifiers defeat to the Bafana Bafana. 

As Pulse Sports reported, South Africa are in danger of receiving a three-point deduction for playing Tebogo in their victory over Lesotho. 

The 28-year-old midfielder had initially received two yellow cards in the competition. First in the opener against Benin Republic, and then in Matchday Four in the 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe.

Hence, he was meant to serve a one-game suspension, as according to FIFA regulations, receiving a yellow card in two separate matches in the qualifying round results in a one-match suspension. 

This meant that he was ineligible for the games against Lesotho; however, Mokoena started the match and played for 82 minutes before he was subbed off for Thalente Mbatha in the 2-0 victory over Likuena. 

South Africa are currently the leader of Group C in CAF’s World Cup qualifiers with 10 points. Should they receive a points deduction for playing an ineligible player, they would drop to third on the log, behind Lesotho, who would get the three points to take their tally up to eight, and Benin Republic also on eight. 

It would also come as a boon to the Super Eagles, who are currently fourth with six points. Hence, the LFA has submitted a query to FIFA, and is aware the NFF are contemplating doing the same. 

“The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points,” the LFA secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi said., per Sowetanlive. “We were made aware of Mokoena’s bookings, and we have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and FIFA.

“We have heard that Nigeria also wants to protest, and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points; Bafana would have done the same.”

With games to come against South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho, a three-point deduction for the Bafana Bafana would put Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying fate back in their hands.