FIFA Penalizes SAFA: Three Points Deducted for Mokoena's Ineligibility

FIFA Takes Action Against SAFA Over Fielding Ineligible Player Teboho Mokoena

In a significant ruling, FIFA has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) after Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Lesotho.

Originally, SAFA anticipated only a fine; however, FIFA imposed a more severe penalty, deducting three points from South Africa's tally and awarding the match to Lesotho with a score of 3-0, citing SAFA’s oversight.

Mokoena, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, was supposed to be suspended due to two yellow cards accrued earlier in the qualifiers—first against Benin in November 2023, and subsequently against Zimbabwe in 2024. Instead of serving his suspension, he participated in the match against Lesotho on March, which led to FIFA taking disciplinary action.

Sources indicate that SAFA intended to argue that fixture congestion caused them to “lose track” of Mokoena’s cautions, though FIFA dismissed this explanation outright.

FIFA stated, “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.”

Additionally, FIFA confirmed that “the match in question has been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.”

SAFA has also been levied with a fine of CHF 10,000, and Teboho Mokoena received a warning. As stated, the parties will be notified of the terms of the decision, and they have ten days to request a motivated decision, which if made, will be documented on legal.fifa.com.

Furthermore, the forfeiture decision can still be appealed before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

As SAFA has been granted a 10-day window to appeal the ruling, it remains to be seen if they will take action. Despite this setback, Bafana Bafana continues to hold strong in the qualifiers, currently positioned second in Group C with 14 points, trailing only Benin on goal difference.