Lesotho FA boss tells South Africans 'now we can be friends' after FIFA punished Bafana Bafana for fielding Mamelodi Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena

After South Africa were punished by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena in a World Cup qualifier, Lesotho Football Association Secretary General Mokhosi Phillip Mohapi feels he has been absolved for raising the matter.

Mokoena, ineligible to play against Lesotho, was in Hugo Broos' starting XI when the countries met for the first time in March, before his appearance raised eyebrows when it later emerged he should have sat out.

Adamant Broos fielded the Sundowns star again in the second-leg action in September despite complaints that had been raised before.

On Monday, FIFA delivered the ruling, deducting South Africa's points by three, and consequently, Bafana dropped to the second position in Group C.

Although SAFA has promised to lodge a complaint by means of an appeal, Mohapi has asked the South Africans to be friends now.

"No, I knew from the onset that I was right. I was called names, but those in football knew that if it lands on a certain desk, then the tables will turn," Mohapi told Soccer Laduma.

"Now, because most South Africans were quite negative towards me, now we can be friends as we go into Matchday Nine and say, 'Guys, do it for us, please.' Because, remember, Zimbabwe do not want to finish bottom. Benin do not want to lose to Rwanda, so, please, be our friends," Mohapi added.

"What I have achieved more than anything is the restoration of the authoritative power of the FIFA governance instruments. That's what I always wanted to achieve."

FIFA sanctioned and fined SAFA for finding them in violation of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the competition’s regulations.

The match against Lesotho was declared forfeited, and Bafana lost three points from that encounter.

South Africa now must win all their remaining qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in order to keep their World Cup dream alive as far as the fight for an automatic slot is concerned. They must also outscore Benin, because currently both have 14 points, and the West Africans enjoy a superior goal difference.

The ruling against Bafana might have also handed third-placed Nigeria and fourth-placed Rwanda - both on 11 points - an advantage, given that the gap now between the group's top four is not that wide.

South Africa will host Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October 2025, before facing Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on 14 October. 

These games carry more weight now than they did before the FIFA ruling because South Africa must win them in very convincing ways if they have to qualify for the global showpiece next year.