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FIFA has deducted three points from South Africa's Bafana Bafana and annulled their group C FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over Lesotho. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, made the decision after an investigation found they fielded an ineligible player in the fixture.
The player in question was reliable midfielder Teboho Mokoena, whose participation in the Lesotho match on 25 march 2025 was illegal as he was still serving a suspension.
"Consequently, the FIFA disciplinary committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0. Safa has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to Fifa, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning," Read part of the communication.
"The parties were notified of the terms of the Fifa disciplinary committee's decision. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have 10 days in which to request a motivated decision, which, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com.
"The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the Fifa appeal committee."
Makoena Teboho played while serving suspension
With these points deducted, Bafana now drop second on the log with 14 points with a minor goal difference behind now leaders Benin as Bafana Bafana hasa goal difference of 3 to Benin's 4.
Both sides have two games remaining with Hugo Brook's Bafana facing Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10 and host Rwanda in their last match at Mbombela Stadium on October 14 while Benin has to play hopeful Nigeria and Rwanda in their last two matches, both away. Both Rwanda and Nigeria have 11 points.
Bafana Bafana can still make it to Mexico/Canada/USA if they bag six points in their last two matches and score as many goals as possible to overcome the goal difference between them and Benin.
It remains to be seen if the South African Football Association (SAFA) will appeal against the decision or take any action against Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka, the official who was responsible for ensuring only eligible players are called up by Broos for national team matches.
