Few episodes have stirred as much confusion as South Africa’s ongoing dispute over Teboho Mokoena’s yellow card suspension, Soccernet.ng reports.
The midfielder, who is a key figure in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana side, was fielded against Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier despite having accumulated two bookings in earlier matches.
That decision has left South Africa in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Per reports, Lesotho lodged a formal protest with FIFA to demand a three-point deduction and a 3-0 forfeiture.
While South Africa’s legal team continues to argue that Mokoena sat out the following match against Benin—technically serving his suspension—critics insist SAFA had no right to decide which game would count.
With FIFA yet to hand down its final ruling, the case has thrown the group wide open and raised serious questions about administrative competence in South African football.
How Did It Happen?
Teboho Mokoena collected two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign, which made him ineligible for the clash against Lesotho.
Despite this, he was included in the starting lineup, per Daily News. Lesotho officials immediately cried foul, threatening a formal protest ahead of the game, and followed through after the game.
South Africa won the match, but their victory was overshadowed by the potential sanction. According to FIFA rules, an ineligible player’s appearance can lead to a 3-0 forfeit and the loss of points.
But as of the time of writing this report, Bafana Bafana’s points still stand, but the cloud of uncertainty persists.
Did Mokoena Serve His Ban?
The central debate lies in whether Mokoena effectively served his one-match suspension. After the Lesotho game, he did not feature in the following clash against Benin.
Sowetanlive, citing former referee Errol Sweeney, argued that this absence could fulfill FIFA’s suspension requirement.
However, Lesotho Football Association officials countered that a country cannot pick and choose when a ban is served.
Until FIFA delivers a final verdict, South Africa’s three points from the Lesotho game remain intact, but the stakes are high.
“This is Africa, you know the politics” – Rwanda Coach
Rwanda’s head coach, Adel Amrouche, who has himself served a CAF ban in the past, refused to be drawn into the controversy when asked ahead of a clash with Nigeria.
He said: “This is Africa, you know the politics, I don’t want to say anything so they don’t ban me again.”
A Symptom of a Bigger Problem?
Beyond the debate over rules and loopholes, critics say the Mokoena affair exposes the recurring administrative negligence within South African football.
Clyde Tlou, an African football journalist, captured the frustration of many:
“This was clearly a shock to the entire country. How could someone in an administrative role overlook such a critical aspect of football? One would expect a team manager to ensure that every detail surrounding the team is handled professionally. If the team fails to qualify, the responsibility must fall squarely on Vincent Tseka—he must be held accountable. Everyone on the field and the bench has done their part to bring the team within reach of a ticket to the USA. As a country, we cannot allow this to be treated as business as usual by SAFA if the team doesn’t make it.
This isn’t the first time such negligence has occurred. Back in 2022, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos revealed that his squad couldn’t train because SAFA failed to book the Dobsonville Stadium. These kinds of administrative failures are unacceptable and undermine the hard work of players and coaches alike.”
Bafana Bafana vs. Nigeria: What happens next?
FIFA’s disciplinary body is still reviewing the case, and until a ruling is announced, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa retain their points.
Dear @FIFAcom South Africa fielded an ineligible player in their game against Lesotho.
Teboho Mokoena had two yellow cards in two games against Benin and Zimbabwe.
South Africa should be deducted 3 points and 3 goals as it is the rule of the Game@PoojaMedia pic.twitter.com/gHc7rlxGwj
— EL-Ameen (@ElameenIam) September 7, 2025
Mokoene saga or not, the carelessness and oversight of football administration could derail an entire World Cup campaign.