Bafana Bafana hit by FIFA sanctions over Mokoena suspension breach in World Cup qualifier

South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Banyama, has been dealt a severe blow to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign following sanctions imposed by FIFA over the controversial fielding of midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a match against Lesotho. The governing body ruled that Mokoena, who was under suspension, should not have played in the 2-1 victory on March 21, 2025, during the Group C qualifier. As a result, FIFA has ordered a points deduction for South Africa, effectively stripping away crucial victories earned under coach Hugo Broos and plunging the team into disarray just months before their final qualification push.

The incident, dubbed “Mokoena-gate” by local media, stems from an administrative oversight by the South African Football Association (SAFA), which failed to adhere to FIFA’s disciplinary protocols. Mokoena, a key player for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana’s midfield engine, had accumulated a suspension from a prior red card but was erroneously included in the lineup against Lesotho. FIFA’s disciplinary committee, after reviewing SAFA’s appeal, upheld the breach, leading to the forfeiture of points from the affected match. While exact details of the deduction remain under wraps pending official confirmation, sources close to the matter indicate it could cost Bafana up to three points, reshaping Group C standings where South Africa currently leads with 17 points from eight games.

The sanction comes at a precarious time for Broos’ charges, who were on course for their first World Cup appearance since 2010. The March victory over Lesotho was pivotal, helping Bafana maintain a six-point cushion over rivals Nigeria and Benin. With the deduction, South Africa’s lead narrows dramatically, potentially dropping them to second or third in the group and intensifying pressure ahead of October fixtures against Zimbabwe and Lesotho. SAFA has expressed dismay, with a spokesperson stating, “We accept the ruling but are exploring all avenues for mitigation – this error does not reflect our commitment to fair play.” The association has vowed to implement stricter compliance measures to prevent future lapses.Hugo Broos, the Belgian tactician who has revitalized Bafana since 2021, was left reeling by the news, emphasizing the human element behind the blunder. “

This is a tough pill to swallow for the players who fought so hard on the pitch,” Broos remarked in a post-ruling interview. “Mokoena is innocent here; it’s an administrative mistake that punishes the team. We’ll rally and focus on what we can control.” The 72-year-old coach, whose contract runs through the 2026 qualifiers, now faces scrutiny as the deduction could jeopardize his legacy of guiding South Africa to continental success, including a bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The fallout from Mokoena-gate extends beyond the pitch, reigniting debates on SAFA’s governance and resource allocation in a nation where football remains a unifying force. Critics argue the sanction exposes systemic issues in player registration and disciplinary tracking, potentially eroding fan trust amid rising ticket prices for upcoming home games. As Bafana prepare for damage control, the focus shifts to resilience: A strong showing in the remaining matches could still secure automatic qualification, but the margin for error has vanished. For Mokoena, the 28-year-old star, the ruling serves as an unwelcome distraction from his club form, where he continues to anchor Sundowns’ title defense.