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[FILE IMAGE]: Teboho Mokoena when he helped David Notoane’s side qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Lesotho played on 21 March.
It’s a ruling that has dire consequences for Bafana.
The ruling means South Africa forfeits the match by a score of 3-0.
🚨𝔹ℝ𝔼𝔸𝕂𝕀ℕ𝔾 ℕ𝔼𝕎𝕊🚨
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee have sanctioned SAFA for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena.
Consequently, FIFA have declared the match against Lesotho to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0.#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/XE3wgatfYp
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) September 29, 2025
SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of nearly R216,466 to FIFA, while Mokoena has been issued with a warning. As a result, Bafana drop down to second in Group C, behind Benin on goal difference.
But Bafana remain in pole position to qualify with matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to come. Benin and Nigeria, the other two contenders to qualify from the group, still need to play each other in a match where at least one of them will drop points.
FIFA have now taken a decision. Bafana Bafana now drop to second spot behind Benin on goal difference. pic.twitter.com/pkNznizEI1
— Sifiso Ramara (@RamaraSifiso) September 29, 2025
