Court of Arbitration of Sport attorney slams Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena for 'bringing the country into disrepute' as Bafana Bafana risk being docked points in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers ahead of Nigeria and Lesotho games - 'Somebody dropped the ball'

Bafana Bafana fielded Teboho Mokoena in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March 2025 despite the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder carrying two yellow cards going into the match. 

The midfielder was supposed to be suspended, but found his way into the starting line-up, leading to Group C rivals Nigeria complaining with FIFA. 

Former SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack, who is an attorney at the Court of Arbitration of Sport, has come hard on the local football governing body, saying they erred in making Mokoena available for the Lesotho game, which Bafana won 2-0.

"It's very clear, the rules say you cannot play when you have been suspended, the onus is on the team and the player both to know," said Hack as per KickOff. 

The rules are very clear, if the player has been ineligible, they will forfeit the game with a 3-0 scoreline.

"The onus is on the association, the onus is on the player, because they all know it. Somebody dropped the ball. But it's not just somebody, it's the player as well. Because the player knows when he's been booked," he added. 

"You know that when you've got so many [yellow cards], you cannot play. The player had a duty - he's a professional, he's playing for the national team - 'I'm bringing the country into disrepute. I'm being dishonest'. That's the bottom line."

Despite the ineligibility issue around Mokoena, Bafana coach Hugo Broos still included him in his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

It is to be seen if the midfielder will cut the final selection to face Lesotho and Nigeria in September.

However, Broos might not be worried too much as he has the likes of the Orlando Pirates duo Sipho Mbule and Thalente Mbatha, as well as Bathusi Aubaas, to bank on in place of Mokoena.  

It is to be seen whether CAF will entertain Nigeria's complaint against SAFA and Mokoena.

Should Bafana be found guilty, they will be slapped with a fine and docked three points, which would reduce their Group C lead from five to two points.