The South African Football Association (SAFA) has vowed to challenge FIFA’s decision to dock three points and impose a fine after Bafana Bafana were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.
FIFA ruled on Monday that South Africa’s 2-0 victory in Maseru be overturned and awarded as a 3-0 win to Lesotho. The punishment came after it emerged that Teboho Mokoena, who played the match, should have been serving a suspension for accumulating two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign.
The ruling drastically reshapes the standings in Group C, where South Africa had built a commanding lead over rivals Nigeria and the Benin Republic. Their six-point advantage over Nigeria is now cut to three points, while Benin leapfrog them to top spot on goal difference. The group also includes Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
In a strongly worded statement, SAFA expressed outrage at what it described as a lack of due 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 statement read.
“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 decision adds fresh tension to the final round of qualifiers scheduled for October, when South Africa will face Lesotho and Zimbabwe in must-win encounters to preserve their hopes of reaching the World Cup. Nigeria, who are now back in contention, will also need victories against Zimbabwe and Benin, with the latter hosting Rwanda before a decisive visit to Abuja.
FIFA has yet to provide public details on the timing of the appeals process, but SAFA’s challenge will be closely watched as Group C—already billed as one of Africa’s most competitive—heads toward a dramatic finish.
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