Bafana Bafana risk losing three points and possible punishment from world football governing body, FIFA, after fielding Teboho Mokoena during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March this year.
Bafana emerged victorious during the match, by beating Lesotho 2-0 in Polokwane.
According to Lesotho’s complaint, Mokoena was carrying two yellow cards prior to the clash, and was supposed to have not been included in the game.
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao said they received the letter from FIFA on Wednesday, charging the association of breaching multiple disciplinary regulations, following months of speculation and silence from FIFA.
“We’ve received communication from FIFA about the investigation that they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match where Teboho Mokoena was fielded.
We received it yesterday (Wednesday), so we are preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee because that’s what ultimately is required from us as an association,” said Monyepao.
If found guilty, Bafana will be forced to forfeit the match, and the three points will be awarded to Lesotho.
This will leave the team level on 14 points with second place Benin but however stay on top thanks to a superior goal difference.
This will then put pressure on the team to win their last two qualifying matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, and hope that Benin at least lose one of its games.
Despite the conundrum, Monyepao said SAFA is not worried, as they are confident that they’ll be part of next year’s global showpiece.
“We’re not really worried about that, I think our focus right now is to ensure that Bafana Bafana gets maximum points come October.
Because whatever happens, whether there’s docking of points or whatever you’re saying out there, if we get six points come October, nothing else is going to matter.
It’s all about Bafana Bafana getting to the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026,” remarked Monyepao.
