FIFA sanctions South Africa for fielding ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in World Cup qualifier, risking a points deduction in Group C

In a letter dated 15 September 2025, FIFA said both SAFA and Mokoena face charges for breaching disciplinary rules. The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with the parties given six days to respond.

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The controversy centres on Mokoena’s participation in the March fixture despite having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024 which should have triggered a one-match suspension.

If found guilty, South Africa could forfeit the result, handing Lesotho a 3 0 victory on paper. Additional penalties such as fines or suspensions could also follow.

South Africa currently lead Group C with 17 points. A deduction would reduce their lead over Nigeria to three points and put Benin within touching distance with two games remaining. Lesotho’s tally would rise to nine points but leave them in fifth place, just behind Nigeria and Rwanda.

The case draws parallels with FIFA’s recent punishment of Equatorial Guinea for fielding Emilio Nsue, a decision upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Reaction in Nigeria has been mixed. Some fans see a glimmer of hope that the Super Eagles could still qualify if South Africa slip. “E be like say hope don dey o,” journalist Charles Anazodo posted.

Others dismissed the optimism, pointing to Nigeria’s inconsistency. “The Super Eagles that will still draw against Lesotho are the ones you are making case for. The team is poor and awful,” wrote Ike Basil on X.

Many fans voiced frustration at the Nigerian Football Federation, insisting that the team’s problems go beyond mathematics. As Isah Abdulmumeem put it: “Me I don commot my mind, hypertension no go kill me. Meanwhile, all the Board of NFF must proceed on compulsory resignation.”

The disciplinary hearing comes with South Africa set to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October, while Nigeria travel to Lesotho before hosting Benin in a potentially decisive finale.

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Whether the sanction will alter Group C’s destiny remains to be seen, but for now, the FIFA charge has introduced fresh uncertainty into Africa’s World Cup qualifying race.