South Africa face must-win clashes against Zimbabwe and Rwanda after FIFA blow

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes has suffered a major blow following FIFA’s decision to sanction the Bafana Bafana for fielding an eligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

The midfielder, who plies his trade for Mamelodi Sundowns was involved in the Bafana Bafana’s game against Lesotho despite being suspended for the clash.

In the said match, South Africa prevailed with a 2-0 win over their opponent on 21 March in Polokwane.

Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers, and was due to serve a one match ban. Mokoena received his first caution against Benin in November 2024 before his second booking against Zimbabwe back in June 2024.

Despite the ban, Mokoena went ahead to feature against Lesotho. With two games to the closure of the qualifiers, the world football governing body has ruled on the matter, declaring South Africa as losers of the match by a score of 3-0 for breaching the rules governing the qualifiers.

Additionally, the Disciplinary Committee of FIFA has also ordered the South African FA to pay a fine of $12,538, while cautioning the player in question, Teboho Mokoena.

South Africa now faces an uphill task to secure qualification to the tournament, having dropped from the summit to second spot in Group C.

Despite the setback, the Bafana Bafana have their destiny in their hands as they prepare for decisive qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month.

South Africa host Zimbabwe on 10 October in Johannesburg before travelling to Kigali four days later to face Rwanda.

Coach Hugo Broos will be desperate to rally his squad after a turbulent week. The team knows nothing less than six points will be enough to reignite their World Cup hopes.

Meanwhile, the South Africa FA are said to lodged an appeal against FIFA ruling, but legal processes will run in parallel with preparations on the pitch. For the players, the immediate task is clear: defeat Zimbabwe at home, then take maximum points from Rwanda away.

Bafana may have been knocked down, but with two games left, qualification is not yet lost. The coming fortnight could define South Africa’s World Cup destiny.