FIFA has officially opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.
According to SABC Sport, FIFA’s letter to SAFA dated September 15 confirmed that both the player and the association face charges of breaching disciplinary regulations. SAFA and Mokoena have been given six days to respond before the case is referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
Mokoena, 28, should have served a one-match suspension after receiving yellow cards against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024. Instead, he played against Lesotho in March, leaving Bafana Bafana vulnerable to sanctions.
If found guilty, South Africa could be forced to forfeit the result, handing Lesotho a 3–0 win. Additional penalties such as fines or suspensions may also follow.
The development could significantly reshape Group C of the qualifiers. South Africa currently top the group with 17 points, but a points deduction would bring them level with Benin on 14, narrowing Nigeria’s gap to just three points with two games remaining.
Lesotho would rise from six to nine points but remain in fifth place, two behind Nigeria and Rwanda on 11 points apiece.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October, while Nigeria take on Lesotho away and Benin Republic as the group heads for a dramatic conclusion.
FIFA has recently punished Equatorial Guinea for a similar infraction involving Emilio Nsue, with the sanction upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The case has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerian fans. Journalist Charles Anazodo expressed cautious optimism: “E be like say hope don dey o. FIFA has written to South Africa to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. They have a week to respond.”
But others remained sceptical. Twitter user Justin Ogbonnah wrote: “Nigeria should allow Benin to go, because we don’t deserve it. My reason: we can draw five winnable matches and expect miracles to happen?”
The coming weeks promise high drama as Africa’s World Cup qualification picture takes shape.
Asiwaju Abiodun (@AbiodunAdeyem17) added, “I see no hope. Even if 3 points are deducted, they will still be ahead with 3 points. The only hope is for us to win the rest matches and Benin Republic being one of it.”
Echoing the same concern, Emmidoma (@emmidoma2000) stated, “Even if dem deduct 3 points dem go still pass us, abeg 70% of these Nigerian players no deserve to go World Cup.”
For Isah Abdulmumeem (@saturnhill), the issue is beyond mathematics. “Me I don commot my mind hypertension no go kill me meanwhile all the Board of NFF must proceed on compulsory resignation,” he said.
Mudiaga Etohwo (@mudibenjam) was equally doubtful. “Is there really any hope? Not much will change, if we had won our last match…..maybe, just maybe.”
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