SAFA calls for focus ahead of last two World Cup qualifiers after serious FIFA decision over ineligible player

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has called for focus as the Bafana Bafana prepare for their last two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, despite a damaging ruling from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.

This comes after FIFA declared that South Africa had forfeited their March 21 clash against Lesotho after midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in the match, although he was not eligible to play.

The match was awarded 3-0 in favour of Lesotho, with SAFA fined CHF 10,000 and Mokoena issued with a warning.

In a statement, SAFA expressed strong disappointment with the outcome and questioned the fairness of the process.

“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments,” the Association said.

Despite confirming that it will appeal the ruling, SAFA stressed that the immediate priority is to keep focus on the pitch as Bafana Bafana aim to seal qualification.

“Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign. The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead.

“We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers,” SAFA said in a statement on Monday, September 29.

Up next for the Bafana Bafana, the team will play Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 10 before taking on Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium on October 14.

The two key fixtures in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will determine whether South Africa can top the group to secure automatic qualification to the tournament or not.

Although South Africa is now second in the group standings, SAFA remains confident that the Bafana Bafana, led by Hugo Broos, has what it takes to secure the needed results next month to book a place at next year’s World Cup.

While it will be tough, the Bafana Bafana have a good chance of overcoming this setback to book their qualification ticket next month.