World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa Risk Points Deduction For Fielding Ineligible Player Vs Lesotho

As South Africa faces a three-point deficit for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho last week, Nigeria’s chances of winning the 2026 World Cup may have come to an end.

Teboho Mokoena, the player who was in question, was a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns and was suspended from his game against Lesotho last Friday, which South Africa won 2-0.

In South Africa’s 2-1 victory over the Benin Republic in Match Day 1 of the qualification series, the midfielder was cautioned for the first time in November 2023. In Bafana Bafana’s victory over Zimbabwe in June 2024, Mokena received yet another yellow card.

A player who accumulates two yellow cards is ineligible to play the following game, per Section 67 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“A person is automatically suspended from the next match of the same FIFA competition if they are given a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.” The disciplinary code read, “Such suspensions must be served before any other suspension.”

Despite two cautions in the race for the 2026 World Cup, South Africa faced Lesotho in the final match. In Group C of the qualifiers, Bafana Bafana won the match, giving her a two-point lead.

That implies that South Africa might face sanctions in accordance with FIFA Disciplinary Code Section 19 which could result in points being lost.

“The team to which a player is a member will forfeit the match and pay a minimum fine of CHF 6, 000 if they are declared ineligible following a protest.” The player may also be subject to sanctions, according to Section 19 of the code’s subsection 2.

However, Section 18: 1 of the law, which states “associations and their clubs are entitled to lodge protests,” may be a lifeline for South Africa. Within 24 hours after the game ends, protests must be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee in writing via the FIFA Legal Portal with a statement outlining the grounds.

Source: Channels TV