South Africa’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken a serious knock after world football governing body FIFA sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding Teboho Mokoena while he was suspended.

The incident occurred during Bafana Bafana’s qualifier against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, where Mokoena was included in the squad despite serving a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.

The Ruling

• FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa must forfeit the match 0–3 in favour of Lesotho.
• SAFA was slapped with a CHF 10,000 fine (±R200,000).
• Mokoena himself escaped harsher punishment, receiving only a formal warning.
• SAFA has 10 days to lodge an appeal.

Group C Shake-Up

The ruling has altered the landscape of African World Cup qualifying Group C:

• South Africa drops to 14 points, slipping behind Benin, who move top of the group.
• Bafana Bafana will now need to win their remaining two fixtures — including a must-win clash against Zimbabwe — to keep qualification hopes alive.

Public Reaction

Fans and analysts have reacted strongly on social media, with some blaming SAFA’s administration for negligence, while others argue Mokoena himself should have been aware of his suspension.

One fan wrote: “I don’t know man but are you telling me Teboho Mokoena, a professional, senior player, doesn’t keep count of his yellow card accumulation, also failed to alert the coach?”

Another fumed: “We need to beat Zimbabwe and whoever we’re playing after Zim! Then fire the entire SAFA administration lol.”

What’s Next

SAFA is expected to announce whether they will appeal FIFA’s ruling within the 10-day window. If the sanction stands, Bafana Bafana’s road to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be far more difficult.

#FIFA #TebohoMokoena