By Victor Kanayo
Days after Lesotho reportedly petitioned FIFA over allegations that South Africa used an ineligible player during a 2026 World Cup qualifier, no decision has been made.
The player in question is Teboho Mokoena.
Mokoena was not listed by South Africa in their game against Benin on Tuesday. However, he was booked in Bafana’s opening match against Benin in 2023 and again in the fourth qualifier against Zimbabwe last year. According to FIFA’s Rule 63 governing World Cup qualifiers, this should have resulted in an automatic one-match ban.
South African publication Sowetan Live reported that the Lesotho Football Association confirmed it had sent a query to FIFA regarding the yellow cards accumulated by the Bafana Bafana midfielder.
If Lesotho’s appeal is upheld, South Africa will forfeit the match, losing three points and conceding three goals.
Should this happen, following the Match Day 6 results, South Africa’s points tally will drop to 10, but they will still retain the top position.
Lesotho, currently in fifth place with six points, would rise to second place with nine points.
Nigeria, currently in fourth place with seven points, remains in contention.
