FIFA hands Bafana Bafana a 3-0 loss and a fine for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho, but the team miraculously holds onto its top spot in the group.
In a stunning administrative blunder, the South African national football team has been handed a 3-0 forfeit loss for a World Cup qualifier they already played, after FIFA ruled they fielded an ineligible player.
The world football governing body found the South African Football Association (SAFA) guilty of breaching regulations by playing midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their March 21, 2025, qualifying match against Lesotho. As punishment, FIFA has officially changed the result to a 3-0 loss for South Africa and imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs (CHF).
Despite the severe sanction, the ruling comes with a silver lining for Bafana Bafana. In a twist of fortune, the forfeiture has not knocked them off the top of their qualifying group. They remain in first place in Group C, level on 14 points with Benin but clinging to the lead due to a superior goal difference.
The group, which includes West African giants Nigeria, remains tightly contested. SAFA has the right to appeal the decision to the FIFA Appeal Committee, potentially challenging the ruling that has cast a shadow over their otherwise strong campaign. For now, the team leads the race for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, but the incident serves as a costly warning about the importance of off-pitch regulations.
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