Categories: Sports

W’Cup Qualifiers: South Africa Risk Sanctions, Points Deduction For Fielding Ineligible Player

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana may face points deduction for fielding ineligible player.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena played against Lesotho despite suspension.
FIFA’s pending decision could alter Group C standings.

South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, faces the possibility of a points deduction in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers for allegedly fielding an ineligible player during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho on Friday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that The controversy centers on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who reportedly accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying series, leading to an automatic suspension for the subsequent match.

Mokoena received his first caution during South Africa’s 2-1 home win against Benin Republic in November 2023, followed by a second yellow card in the 52nd minute of their 3-1 triumph over Zimbabwe in June 2024.

Despite this, he was included in the starting lineup against Lesotho, playing 82 minutes before being substituted by Thalente Mbatha.

According to FIFA’s World Cup qualifying regulations, a player who accumulates two cautions in separate matches is automatically suspended for their team’s subsequent match. The relevant rule states: “If players or team officials receive two cautions in one match (in matches decided by penalties) or in two different matches of the competition, they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match.”

For a protest regarding player eligibility to be considered, it must be submitted in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match’s conclusion and followed up with a full written report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee within 24 hours. Failure to adhere to this timeline results in the protest being disregarded.

Should a protest be upheld, Lesotho, currently fifth in Group C with five points, could be awarded three additional points, elevating them to eight. This adjustment would significantly impact the group’s standings, where South Africa leads with 10 points, followed by Benin Republic with eight, Rwanda with seven, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points after five matches.

South Africa’s next fixture is against Benin Republic in Abidjan. The outcome of FIFA’s investigation and any subsequent disciplinary actions could have profound implications for Bafana Bafana’s quest for World Cup qualification.