FIFA docks South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player

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, who have now dropped from 1st to 2nd position in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on 14 points, the same as Benin.

SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of nearly R216,466 to FIFA, while Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

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.

South Africa will face Zimbabwe away on the 10th of next month before winding up their campaign at home to Rwanda four days later.