World Cup 2026: the administrative blunder that could cost South Africa dear
South Africa are enjoying a fine run in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Bafana Bafana sit top of Group C
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A win over Lesotho with Teboho Mokoena ineligible
What an administrative blunder by South Africa! Teboho Mokoena, one of their key men, should not have played against Lesotho on 21 March, in the 2-0 win on matchday 5. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, who was booked against Benin (matchday 1) and Zimbabwe (matchday 4), was automatically suspended for the Lesotho game. Yet the 28-year-old was picked. Starting the match, he was replaced in the 82nd minute by Thalente Mbatha.
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Lesotho and Nigeria lodge complaints
After the match, the Lesotho Football Association (LFA) lodged a complaint with FIFA to claim the 3 points. Nigeria, struggling in this group, have also done so. The idea behind it is to reopen the group if South Africa are docked points.
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Speaking to Sowetan, the LFA general secretary, Mokhosi Mohapi, confirmed the complaint lodged with FIFA.
" The question is whether a rule has been broken. If so, we are fully entitled to protest and to be awarded the points. We were informed about Mokoena's cautions and have since sent an official request to CAF and FIFA. We have heard that Nigeria also want to protest, and they have the right to as well, because the result (of last Friday) is prejudicial to everyone. If we had fielded an ineligible player and taken the points, the Bafana would have done the same. Unfortunately, the law is the law and Safa (editor's note: the South African federation) should have been aware of the cautions. We bear no grudge. We want those points. ", he said.
Could this complaint succeed? Here is the explanation.
What do FIFA's regulations say?
The regulations for the 2026 World Cup preliminary competition are clear. Lesotho's federation may not have met the deadline set by FIFA. Under Article 8, paragraph 3, a protest against a player's eligibility must be submitted to the match commissioner within two hours of the end of the match. The report must then be submitted to FIFA within 24 hours of the final whistle.
"Protests relating to the eligibility of players for matches in the preliminary competition must first be submitted in writing to the FIFA match commissioner within two hours of the match and confirmed by a written report including a copy of the original protest. This report will be submitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and sent by email to qualifiers@fifa.org within 24 hours of the end of the match. The report will be handled by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee; otherwise, the protest will be disregarded. ", FIFA state in their regulations.
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According to several sources, Lesotho filed their complaint outside the deadline set by the governing body. If that is the case, the complaint will be ruled inadmissible and South Africa should keep their 13 points. An official decision is expected in the coming days.