2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa in trouble over fielding ineligible player

South Africa moved five points clear in Group C of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers after their 2-0 victory over Benin but they risk points deduction for the preceding victory over Lesotho.

Bafana Bafana, who are now on 13 points, fielded Teboho Mokoena who records show had accumulated two bookings and the midfielder was withdrawn from the squad for the Thursday victory.

Mokoena was booked in Bafana’s opening match against Benin in 2023, and the fourth qualifier against Zimbabwe last year, meaning he should have served an automatic one-match ban, according to FIFA’s rule 63 governing World Cup qualifiers.

Instead, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder played in last Friday’s 2-0 win over Likuena in Polokwane.

Hugo Broos, the Bafana Bafana coach, refused to give a conclusive comment on the matter.

“I’m not commenting on the matter; it is something that will be sorted [out] over the next week,” he said.

With the precedents set in the past, South Africa is likely to lose points to Lesotho who would then move to second place in the group.

In 2013, Botswana protested against Ethiopia for having used a player who had accumulated two bookings in their qualifier. FIFA stepped in and awarded a 3-0 win to Botswana.

There are reports that Lesotho didn’t report within the stipulated time as per FIFA rules and regulations but Lesotho official says that doesn’t matter.

“There’s no such. If the protest is valid, FIFA will look into it. We are awaiting their response.”

If deducted, South Africa will remain top but only with a one-point gap over second-placed Lesotho but three ahead of bitter rivals Nigeria who have won just once this campaign.

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