SAFA reacts to FIFA’s ruling on Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier against Lesotho

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has issued a statement, reacting to the FIFA ruling on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Lesotho.

READ MORE: BREAKING NEWS: FIFA strips South Africa of World Cup qualifying win for fielding ineligible player

In a ruling by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, South Africa has been found guilty of erroneously fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena for the clash against Lesotho on March 21.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match to have been forfeited by Bafana Bafana by the score of 3-0.

SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000, while Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

While SAFA notes that it is disappointed with the ruling, it has indicated that it has requested written reasons for the judgment and intends to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee.

“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 confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules,” the association said in an official statement.

Despite the FIFA ruling, SAFA insists that it remains committed to supporting the Bafana Bafana in their last two matches in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, believing that qualification remains a possibility.