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Teboho Mokoena, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage
Michael Madyira

SAFA CEO reacts to FIFA's case against Bafana Bafana fielding Mamelodi Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier - 'We are not really worried about that'

The world football governing body has charged South Africa in a development that could decide matters in Group C of the bid to qualify for the quadrennial global competition. That leaves the men at Nasrec preparing a legal battle to defend the work that has been done by Hugo Broos and his men so far in this campaign to go to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

  • Teboho Mokoena, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    The Mokoena conundrum

    FIFA have opened a case against Bafana Bafana for allegedly fielding an ineligible Teboho Mokoena in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.

    The Mamelodi Sundowns central midfielder went into that match carrying two yellow cards in this campaign and should have sat out the game.

    But he was fielded, in the process attracting protests from Group C rivals Nigeria and Benin.

    The world football governing body has now charged the South African Football Association, and their chief executive officer comments on the case against them. 

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  • Lydia Monyepao

    Monyepao's response to FIFA's charge

    “We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said as per iDiski Times.
    “So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which is ultimately required of us as an association…
    “Look, we’re not really worried about that. I think our focus right now is to ensure Bafana Bafana gets maximum points, come October, because whatever happens, whether there is docking of points or whatever, if we get six points come October, nothing else matters," added the former Banyana Banyana player.  
    “It’s all about Bafana Bafana getting to the USA, Mexico and Canada [in the FIFA World Cup] in 2026.”

  • Sipho Mbule, Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage

    What points deduction would mean for Bafana

    Bafana currently sit three points clear at the top of Group C in the World Cup qualifiers after eight rounds of games.

    Third-placed Nigeria have six points fewer than Bafana, who are keen to secure qualification for the World Cup by finishing at the top of the log.

    In the event three points are docked from South Africa, they will be level on points with Benin, who are currently second on the table, and this is a team they have beaten home and away.

    Points deduction would put Hugo Broos' men under pressure ahead of their two remaining games in the qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October.

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  • Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    What next?

    Safa are now preparing to legally counter FIFA's case against them, and they would want their assertion to be strong to increase Bafana's chances of going to the World Cup.

    After receiving the chargesheet from FIFA on September 15, SAFA were given six days to officially respond. 

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