SAFA disappointed as FIFA ruling on Teboho Mokoena case was 'delivered by a single-member panel without reasons' and Danny Jordaan-led association reveals its plan in bid to fight for Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualifying points

On Monday, 29 September, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee handed down a stinging sanction to the South African Football Association (SAFA) after Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ruled ineligible for South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. 

The ruling found SAFA in breach of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the tournament regulations. As a consequence, South Africa has forfeited the match, with FIFA awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory, an outcome that significantly impacts Bafana Bafana’s points in Group C. 

In addition to the forfeiture, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000 (approximately R217,000), while Mokoena received an official warning from the governing body. 

SAFA has since issued a formal response to FIFA’s decision, expressing disappointment and outlining its next steps in a bid to challenge the ruling and reclaim the lost points.

“The South African Football Association (SAFA) acknowledges a ruling by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee which sanctioned the Association for erroneously fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Lesotho played on 21 March 2025,” the association shared on their website.

“In terms of the decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match to have been forfeited by Bafana Bafana by the score of 3-0. The Association has also further been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (around R217,000), while Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments. The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules,” the statement continued.

“Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign. The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead. We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers,” the statement concluded.

The deduction of three points would see Bafana Bafana tumble from 17 to 14 points in the World Cup qualifying standings, now level with Benin and only three ahead of Nigeria. 

What was once a comfortable cushion at the summit has suddenly thinned, thrusting South Africa back into a tense race for qualification and reigniting pressure ahead of the final group fixtures. 

As SAFA prepares to lodge a formal appeal against FIFA’s ruling, Bafana Bafana will have to focus on the final phase of their World Cup qualifying campaign. The national team is set to host Zimbabwe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October 2025, before welcoming Rwanda to Mbombela Stadium on 14 October. 

Both fixtures kick off at 18h00 and could prove decisive in South Africa’s bid to reclaim momentum and secure a spot at the 2026 global showpiece.