Federation of International Football Association ( FIFA) Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned South Africa for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena in Bafana – Bafana’s African World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho played on 21 March 2025, while serving a yellow card suspension before the match.
South Africa Football Association has thereby breached article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code ( FDC ) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2025 Preliminary Competition Regulations
With the decision of FIFA Disciplinary Committee, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have both forfeited the match in question, losing 3 goals, and 3 points deducted from their total points in Group C World Cup Qualifiers Table.
South Africa Football Association has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued a warning.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa with this sanction dropped to second position behind Benin Republic who are on top of Group C table on goals difference: From 8 matches played so far in the qualifiers: Benin Republic has 14 points + 4 goals, while South Africa also with 14 points + 2 are now in second position, Nigeria occupied the 3rd position with 11 points, Rwanda placed fourth with also 11 points , Lesotho has 9 points, while Zimbabwe are last on the log table with 4 points, with two matches to spare in Group C African World Cup Qualifiers, it is difficult to decide who takes the ticket for the World Cup.
FIFA said the parties have been notified of the Disciplinary Committee’s decision in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FIFA DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE.
South Africa still have the opportunity to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee before FIFA Appeal Committee.
