Bafana Bafana Lose Three Points After Fielding Suspended Teboho Mokoena, Drop to Second in Group C

• FIFA has made a ruling that has shaken Bafana Bafana, leaving their place in the World Cup qualifiers in jeopardy
• The controversy centres on Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in March against Lesotho
• Fans and officials are voicing frustration, as the national team now faces a much tougher road to secure qualification

FIFA has reportedly made an official ruling regarding Teboho Mokoena’s appearance against Lesotho in March, when he was ineligible to play.

At the time, Mokoena had accumulated three yellow cards, which should have ruled him out of the 2-0 victory.

On Monday, 29 September 2025, the world governing body announced that Bafana Bafana would be deducted three points. The unprecedented decision has seen South Africa drop to second place in Group C.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player and also ruled that the match be forfeited, recording a 0–3 loss for Bafana Bafana.

In addition to the point deduction, SAFA was fined CHF 10,000, reflecting the seriousness of the administrative breach. The player at the centre of the controversy, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, was issued a warning.

As seen in the tweet below:

South African football fans have been rattled by the news, with most people demanding accountability from SAFA on the issue that now could cost Bafana Bafana a spot in next year's global football showpiece.

Bafana Bafana now need nothing short of wins in their remaining qualifier games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, and also hoping for a Benin slip-up.

Benin had been vocal in getting the issue dealt with by FIFA, and they even complained on a CAF social media page last month, which was rebuked by the Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie.

See the tweet below:

How have the fans reacted?

@sjaduomuhle:

"I'm still wondering how this happened. Who was responsible for updating this information? Regardless of whether we qualify, someone needs to be held accountable because this situation is unacceptable. This is a national team, and Bafana has been working hard to be here."

@KB_Ramasimong:

"The players have done their job, admin has failed to do their basic job yet there is no accountability. I hope these guys can surmount this obstacle and still qualify for the WC. They have been marvellous and deserve to qualify for the WC. Now they have to effectively qualify twice."

FIFA has previously sanctioned African nations, including Ethiopia and Nigeria, for similar breaches, while Congo-Brazzaville was suspended in February 2025 due to third-party interference in its football federation.

Recently, Equatorial Guinea was docked six points for fielding an ineligible player during the World Cup qualifiers, setting a potential precedent for similar cases.

Bafana Bafana jumps in rankings

Briefly News previously reported that Bafana Bafana had broken new ground in the latest FIFA ranking after avoiding defeat in their World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria during the last international break.

Bafana Bafana were ranked tenth in the last FIFA ranking, but they’ve now moved up in the new list released by the football governing body.

Source: Briefly News