South Africa Make Harsh Response After FIFA Dock Bafana Points Over Ineligible Player

The South Africa football governing body have responded furiously after Bafana Bafana were docked three points in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign for fielding an ineligible player. 

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have taken part in the qualifier against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, resulting in a heavy sanction against the national team.

South Africa have now been stripped of the three points they earned from that fixture, the match has been awarded 3-0 to Lesotho, and the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,536.04). Mokoena himself received only a warning, but the repercussions for the national side could be severe given the tight nature of the group standings.

The decision leaves Bafana Bafana level with Benin on 14 points, though Benin now top the group on goal difference with only two fixtures left to play. Nigeria and Rwanda, both three points behind, remain firmly in the race for qualification. Only the group winners qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the second-placed team forced into a difficult playoff route.

"The South African Football Association (SAFA) acknowledges a ruling by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee which sanctioned the Association for erroneously fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Lesotho played on 21 March 2025," read a statement from SAFA.

The Association added: "In terms of the decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match to have been forfeited by Bafana Bafana by the score of 3-0. The Association has also further been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000, while Mokoena has been issued with a warning."

SAFA officials voiced their disappointment not only at the ruling but also at the manner in which it was delivered. They criticised FIFA for not giving them an opportunity to present legal arguments before the punishment was handed down.

"As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments," the statement continued.

"The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules."

While South Africa prepare their appeal, focus now shifts to salvaging their World Cup qualifying campaign. SAFA have urged supporters to continue backing the team during what promises to be a tense finish.

"Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign. The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead," SAFA said.

They added: "We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers."

South Africa will host Zimbabwe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October 2025 before welcoming Rwanda to Mbombela on 14 October. Both matches kick off at 18h00 and are now must-win encounters if Bafana Bafana hope to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the group, Benin travel to Rwanda, while Lesotho host Nigeria in what could prove decisive in shaping the final standings.