'The law is the law! We want those points' - Lesotho Football Association warns Safa! Hugo Broos drops Teboho Mokoena as Bafana Bafana's 2026 Fifa World Cup dream could be dented due to error involving Mamelodi Sundowns star

South Africa are in a tough spot as they face a potential three-point deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho despite his suspension. Bafana Bafana secured a 2-0 win in that game, with goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, but the blunder could cost them dearly.

Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe, making him ineligible for the Lesotho match. However, his participation went unnoticed until after the game, putting the team at risk of punishment from the football governing body.

While the team played in the Afcon qualifiers in between, those matches do not erase suspensions from the World Cup qualifiers, as they are separate competitions. If the deduction is enforced, it could seriously harm Bafana Bafana’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Now, a win against Benin is non-negotiable, as dropping points could make their path to qualification even more difficult. The team must put this setback behind them and focus on getting the job done in their next fixture.

“The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points. We were made aware of Mokoena’s bookings and we have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and Fifa,” said LFA secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi as reported by the Sowetan.

“We have heard that Nigeria also want to protest and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points, Bafana would have done the same.

“Unfortunately, the law is the law and Safa should have known about the bookings. We have no hard feelings. We want those points.”

According to Fifa's disciplinary rules (Article 63.1), two yellow cards in separate matches result in an automatic one-match suspension. In cases where an ineligible player is fielded (Article 19.1), FIFA’s judicial bodies can impose disciplinary action, considering the competition’s integrity.

If a protest is filed and a player is ruled ineligible (Article 19.2), the team forfeits the match and faces a fine of at least CHF 6,000, with the player also facing possible sanctions. However, a formal protest must be lodged within two hours after the game and followed up within 24 hours, which Lesotho failed to do.

Fifa’s rules on player suspensions (Article 9.3) clearly state that accumulated yellow cards in qualifiers carry over to the next match, reinforcing Mokoena’s ineligibility. If Fifa still decides to act, South Africa could be handed an automatic loss, which would be a massive blow to their World Cup qualification campaign.

Bafana Bafana now faces a crucial test, needing a victory against Benin to maintain their position at the top of the group. Hugo Broos previously hinted at resting some key players for this game, including Mokoena especially since his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, has an important fixture soon. Despite the controversy, South Africa has shown resilience in tough situations before and will need to do so again.

The team must rally together, put their best foot forward, and secure three points to stay in control of their qualification fate. A win will not only boost their chances but also show their ability to overcome adversity.

Mokoena will travel back with his Bafana Bafana teammates and immediately shift focus to club football. His next challenge will be helping Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash against Sekhukhune United.

The fixture is set to take place within the next 72 hours, leaving little time for recovery. However, given his absence in the Benin match, he will be fresh and ready to contribute. Sundowns will rely on his experience and composure in midfield as they aim to progress in the tournament.