FIFA has reversed its earlier position and opened a case against South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Disciplinary Committee had earlier ruled that there would be no action taken against Bafana Bafana regarding Mokoena’s eligibility. The midfielder was reportedly suspended due to yellow card accumulation before the March qualifier against Lesotho.
FIFA has actually charged Mokoena and the South African Football Association (SAFA) for breaching disciplinary rules, such as fielding an ineligible player, SABC reports.
The Mamelodi Sundowns player was fielded in the March 21 game against Lesotho’s Crocodiles in Polokwane City when he was under suspension. South Africa won the matchday five fixture.
The midfielder was already yellow-carded against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe, which under FIFA rules triggered a one-match ban.
The case has now been handed over to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, and SAFA and Mokoena have six days to respond.
South Africa is leading Group C on 17 points from eight matches, three points better than Benin Republic and six better than Nigeria. A guilty finding, however, will see Bafana Bafana penalized with a 3-0 defeat, a three-point deduction, and potential fines changes that would dramatically alter the group log.
