Bafana Bafana's Teboho Mokoena should not have played in the match against Lesotho.
Image: Backpagepix
Despite not lodging their complaint in the required time frame after Bafana Bafana played an ‘ineligible’ Teboho Mokoena during their Fifa World Cup qualifier, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) says it was their “duty to inform FIFA" about the situation.
Mokoena received a yellow card in Bafana’s first match against Benin and another in the following match against Zimbabwe. According to FIFA’s regulations, a player who accumulates two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-match suspension in the following fixture.
Mokoena should not have featured in the Lesotho encounter, which Bafana won 2-0. It’s a mistake that could put their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying ambitions at risk, as Hugo Broos’ side could be stripped of the three points earned from that victory over their neighbours.
Bafana currently lead Group C with 13 points, five points ahead of second-placed Rwanda. The South Africans will still lead the way if their three points are handed to Lesotho for the Mokoena incident. However, that lead would be cut to just one point with Lesotho moving up to second place in the group on nine points.
Lesotho missed the 24-hour post-match deadline to report the matter to the match commissioner, CAF or FIFA, only making a formal enquiry in writing on Tuesday after the Friday match. It seems like they also weren’t aware of the situation.
According to the FIFA handbook, “protests must reach the Disciplinary Committee in writing, indicating the relevant grounds, within 24 hours of the end of the match in question."
"The 24-hour time limit cannot be extended. For the sake of the smooth running of the competition, the corresponding competition regulations may shorten the deadline accordingly."
However, the LeFA’s secretary general Mokhosi Mohapi feels they are obligated to raise the matter with FIFA … even if it was four days later.
"It was meant to alert FIFA on their records," Mohapi told ESPN.
Earlier, Mohapi was quoted saying FIFA were still duty-bound to examine the complaint and they were “awaiting a response”.
According to reports coming out of Nigeria, who are fourth in Group C on seven points, the Super Eagles are monitoring the situation closely and may have even enquired about the situation with CAF and FIFA.
Bafana dropping points will give Nigeria a lifeline to qualify for the showpiece tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Only the winners of the respective groups qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the four of the best second-placed teams will be involved in the playoffs. The winner will progress to the inter-confederation playoffs.
@JohnGoliath82