South Africa Faces FIFA Scrutiny After Lesotho Protest

Lesotho Football Association (LFA) has formally lodged a complaint with FIFA over the eligibility of South African player Teboho Mokoena in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

According to FIFA’s regulations, Mokoena, who received yellow cards in two previous matches—against Benin in 2023 and Zimbabwe in 2024—should have served a one-match suspension. However, he played in South Africa’s recent 2-0 victory over Lesotho, raising concerns that his participation may have violated FIFA’s disciplinary rules.

There is uncertainty over whether his first yellow card was nullified during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but FIFA’s rules clearly state that yellow cards accumulate “from round to round” in World Cup qualifiers, meaning AFCON should not have affected his suspension status.

Lesotho is now seeking to have the three points from the match awarded to them, arguing that FIFA’s rules must be upheld. “The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points. We were made aware of Mokoena’s bookings and have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and FIFA,” LFA Secretary-General Mokhosi Mohapi stated.

Mohapi also mentioned that Nigeria is reportedly considering a similar protest, given that South Africa’s use of an ineligible player could have wider implications for the group standings. “We have heard that Nigeria also wants to protest, and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points—Bafana would have done the same,” he added.

He dismissed any notion that Lesotho’s geographical closeness to South Africa should deter them from taking action. “Unfortunately, the law is the law, and SAFA (South African Football Association) should have been aware of the bookings. We have no hard feelings. We want those points,” Mohapi emphasized.

Mokoena had been booked in South Africa’s 2-1 win over Benin in November 2023 and again in their 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe in November 2024. According to FIFA’s regulations, this should have made him ineligible for last week’s match against Lesotho.

South Africa now faces the risk of losing three points from that fixture, as similar cases in the past have resulted in teams forfeiting points for fielding ineligible players.
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