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Teboho Mokoena, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage
Celine Abrahams

Official: SAFA sanctioned after fielding ineligible Teboho Mokoena, costing Bafana Bafana crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying points

South Africa’s hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken a major blow after FIFA sanctioned the South African Football Association for fielding the Mamelodi Sundowns midfield star in a qualifier against Lesotho. Mokoena was deemed ineligible, triggering disciplinary action and casting doubt over the campaign.

  • Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    Ruling hits Bafana’s World Cup qualifying campaign

    Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was deemed ineligible to play in South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, according to a ruling by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.  

    The decision found the South African Football Association (SAFA) in violation of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the competition’s regulations. As a result, South Africa has forfeited the match, with FIFA awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory.  

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  • Lyle Foster, South Africa, August 2025Backpage

    FIFA’s official statement

    “The Fifa Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Safa for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the Fifa World Cup 2026 preliminary competition,” FIFA said in a statement.

    “Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0,” the statement concluded.  

  • Hugo Broos of South AfricaBackpagepix

    Points reduced in Group C

    The ruling significantly damages Bafana’s qualifying campaign, reducing their points tally from 17 to 14 and boosting their neighbours in Group C on the World Cup qualifying table.  

    In addition, SAFA has been ordered to pay a fine of around R200 000, while Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

  • Danny Jordaan, SAFABackpage

    The road ahead for SAFA

    The disciplinary body confirmed that SAFA and the parties involved have ten days to request a motivated decision, which would later be published on FIFA’s legal website.  

    The ruling remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.