Bafana Bafana’s march to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into doubt after FIFA launched disciplinary proceedings over the fielding of ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a crucial qualifier against Lesotho.
Mokoena, 28, played in South Africa’s 2–0 win in Polokwane on March 21 despite carrying two yellow cards from earlier matches against Benin and Zimbabwe. Under FIFA rules, this should have triggered a one-match suspension. The oversight now leaves both the player and the South African Football Association (SAFA) facing sanctions.
The blunder came to light shortly after the game, with team manager Vincent Tseka accused of missing the ruling. In an attempt to contain the fallout, coach Hugo Broos left Mokoena out of the squad for the next qualifier against Benin in Ivory Coast, a match South Africa won 2–0. But the damage was already done.
FIFA confirmed in a letter to SAFA that disciplinary charges had been filed. The governing body has given both parties six days to respond before the case is reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee. If found guilty, South Africa risk a three-point deduction and a 3–0 forfeit loss to Lesotho, along with possible fines.
Such a ruling would still keep Bafana top of Group C on goal difference, level with Benin on 14 points. Lesotho, meanwhile, would climb to nine points but remain outside the qualification spots. The bigger danger lies in the pressure this creates for South Africa’s final qualifiers.
Broos and his men must now beat both Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October to guarantee passage, regardless of Benin’s results against Rwanda and Nigeria. Any slip could open the door for their rivals. The mood around the camp has shifted from celebration to concern, with fans fearing a cruel twist to their World Cup dream.
For a nation still chasing its first World Cup appearance since hosting in 2010, the stakes could not be higher. What should have been a routine administrative check now threatens to derail months of hard work on the pitch.
