South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign has suffered a major setback after world football governing body, Fifa, confirmed that Bafana Bafana have been docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.

The punishment comes after Teboho Mokoena was included in the team that faced Lesotho in a Group C match on March 21, 2025. Bafana had won that game 2-0, but Fifa has now overturned the result, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.

In a statement released on Monday, Fifa explained that South Africa breached its disciplinary code and competition regulations by using Mokoena, who should not have featured in the match. 

Along with the points deduction, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined CHF 10,000 (about R215,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.

This decision drops Bafana from the top of Group C to second place, level on 14 points with leaders Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria sit in third with 11 points, while Rwanda follow closely behind. Lesotho, who benefited directly from the ruling, now climb to nine points.

Qualification race is heating up

The setback puts extra pressure on coach Hugo Broos and his players as only the group winners are guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Bafana still have two crucial matches to play in October – against Zimbabwe on the 10th and Rwanda on the 13th. Both games will be hosted in South Africa, with Zimbabwe’s “home” tie taking place in Durban due to stadium issues in their own country.

Meanwhile, group leaders Benin face tough final fixtures against Rwanda and Nigeria, leaving the race for the top spot wide open.

Despite the blow, Bafana’s qualification hopes remain alive. However, the costly mistake of fielding an ineligible player has turned what looked like a straightforward path into a tense finish for South Africa.