South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, which gathered major momentum with a composed 2-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday evening, now faces a potentially serious setback due to an administrative error involving star midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
Mokoena, a key figure in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana setup, featured in the win over Lesotho despite having accumulated two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers – a tally that, according to FIFA regulations, should have triggered an automatic one-match suspension.
The 27-year-old played the full match against Lesotho, a game South Africa won 1-0, further strengthening their grip on Group C. However, his ineligibility to feature in that match has cast doubt over the legitimacy of the result and could yet cost South Africa three vital points – and with it, control of their qualification destiny.
FIFA rules clearly state that a player receiving two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-game suspension. The South African Football Association (SAFA) appeared to have overlooked this regulation, allowing Mokoena to participate in a fixture he should have missed.
Lesotho, Bafana’s opponents in the fixture, had a 2-hour post-match window to lodge an official protest. They failed to do so within the allocated time, but FIFA’s disciplinary framework still allows for a 24-hour appeal period, during which the matter could have been escalated. As things stand, the status of the match and any possible sanction now rests with FIFA.
If a points deduction is enforced, South Africa could drop from 13 to 10 points, throwing Group C wide open again. Rwanda and Benin, both currently on 8 points, would find themselves within striking distance, while Nigeria – sitting on 7 points – could regain momentum despite recent stumbles.
Mokoena’s involvement has not only raised questions about internal administrative processes within SAFA but also drawn attention to the high-stakes nature of World Cup qualifying, where every detail matters.
It’s unclear whether the South African technical team were aware of his disciplinary status ahead of the Lesotho game or whether it was a simple oversight.
Despite the looming uncertainty, Bafana Bafana’s performances on the pitch have been impressive. Against Benin, they showed composure and tactical maturity, with goals from Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams delivering a deserved win that placed them firmly in pole position for a ticket to North America.
But now, their fate may hinge not on their football, but on paperwork.
Bafana Bafana’s remaining fixtures – Lesotho (1 September), Nigeria (8 September), Zimbabwe (6 October) and Rwanda (13 October) – will likely be approached with renewed urgency as Broos’ side navigates both the on-field and off-field challenges of qualification.
As fans celebrate what has so far been a strong campaign, this latest development is a sobering reminder of how fragile progress can be when rules are overlooked – and how qualification for the world’s biggest stage can hinge on more than just performances.
