By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) says they intend to appeal FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player.
FIFA found SAFA and Bafana Bafana guilty for fielding Tebogo Mokoena while serving a yellow-card suspension in their match against Lesotho.
South Africa now slips to second in Group C, trailing Benin on goal difference.
Bafana Bafana played Mokoena during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. The match took place in March 2025 and secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
He received a yellow card in November 2023, against Benin. His second caution came in June 2024, versus Zimbabwe.
FIFA rules for their tournaments state that a player who accumulates two yellow cards over two different matches is automatically suspended for the next match.
SAFA and Bafana Bafana missed this technicality and fielded Mokoena, who is a key figure in the Hugo Broos team.
“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, “read a SAFA statement on Monday.
“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.”
In December 2017, FIFA punished Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player – Abdullahi Shehu – in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Algeria.
A 3-0 win was awarded to Algeria, but as it happened, the decision did not affect Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup finals.
Meanwhile Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said, this development is deeply regrettable and has brought embarrassment to our nation and the game of football.
“As the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, I have taken note of the recent decision by FIFA to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“This development is deeply regrettable and has brought embarrassment to our nation and the game of football.
“We acknowledge that this situation has brought South Africa into disrepute, and we must take full responsibility for addressing it. We thank FIFA for swift action and not making us wonder and wait in agony about our fate.”
Bafana Bafana close off their qualification campaign with clashes against Zimbabwe (away) and Rwanda (at home) in early October. Only the top teams in each of the nine groups qualify directly for the next year’s World Cup. The four best runners-up have a backdoor opportunity via the murky path of intercontinental playoffs.