By Yusuf Mohammed
South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is under threat after FIFA officially opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player in their March clash against Lesotho.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured in the tie despite being suspended. He had picked up yellow cards against Benin (November 2023) and Zimbabwe (June 2024), which, under FIFA rules, should have ruled him out of the Lesotho fixture.
According to SABC Sport, a letter dated September 15 confirmed that both SAFA and Mokoena face charges for breaching FIFA’s disciplinary code. They now have six days to respond before the matter is reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee.
If found guilty, Bafana Bafana risk forfeiting the match, with Lesotho awarded a 3–0 win. Such a decision would shake up Group C, where South Africa currently lead with 17 points. A deduction would bring them level with Benin Republic on 14, while narrowing Nigeria’s gap to just three points. Lesotho, meanwhile, would rise from six to nine points, though still behind Rwanda and Nigeria, who both sit on 11.
The stakes are high with only two games left. South Africa still have to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October, while Nigeria meet Lesotho away before rounding off against Benin Republic.
The situation mirrors FIFA’s recent punishment of Equatorial Guinea for fielding Emilio Nsue — a decision upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport — suggesting South Africa’s case could have serious consequences.
Nigerians online, however, are divided. Veteran journalist Charles Anazodo expressed cautious optimism: “E be like say hope don dey o. FIFA has written to South Africa to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. They have a week to respond.”
Others poured cold water on the excitement. Twitter user Justin Ogbonnah wrote: “Nigeria should allow Benin to go, because we don’t deserve it. My reason: we can draw five winnable matches and expect miracles to happen?”
With the group finely balanced, FIFA’s decision could yet redefine the race for Africa’s automatic tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
