Teboho Mokoena controversy: Will FIFA deduct South Africa’s points?

The cloud hanging over South Africa’s World Cup qualification campaign has deepened with the unresolved case of Teboho Mokoena’s suspension breach. In March, the midfielder featured in Bafana Bafana’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho despite having accumulated two yellow cards in previous fixtures, a disciplinary threshold that should have ruled him out of the tie. The South African Football Association (SAFA) acknowledged the error, yet insisted that since Lesotho did not formally lodge a protest, the result should stand. Coach Hugo Broos admitted the mistake but attempted to play down the consequences. However, FIFA’s disciplinary code does not rely solely on opponent protests; the world body can act on its own initiative, and past precedent suggests such breaches rarely go unpunished.

FIFA Rules on Ineligible Players in World Cup Qualifiers

FIFA’s Disciplinary Code is unambiguous. It stipulates that if a player receives two cautions in separate matches of the same competition, they are automatically suspended from the next fixture. Furthermore, Article 55 of the code provides that if a team fields an ineligible player—whether due to suspension, nationality issues, or registration irregularities—the match is to be forfeited. The default ruling in such cases is a 3–0 defeat, unless the actual scoreline was already more damaging to the offending side. This principle is not theoretical: it has been applied across multiple FIFA competitions and World Cup qualifiers in the past.

Past FIFA Sanctions for Ineligible Players

History offers clear examples of how unforgiving FIFA has been in similar scenarios. During the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria were stripped of a point after fielding Shehu Abdullahi, who was suspended. Their 1–1 draw against Algeria was overturned to a 3–0 defeat, and the Nigeria Football Federation was fined for negligence. Earlier, in the 2014 qualifiers, Ethiopia were penalised for a comparable offense, losing three points despite having won their match on the pitch. More recently, Equatorial Guinea’s 2026 qualification campaign was thrown into turmoil when two of their victories were overturned to 3–0 defeats for fielding an ineligible player, and striker Emilio Nsue received a playing ban. These precedents reinforce the principle that FIFA does not hesitate to enforce its disciplinary code when a breach is established, even if the opposition does not lodge a protest.

How a FIFA Points Deduction Could Reshape CAF Group C

If FIFA applies the standard sanction in South Africa’s case, the consequences for Group C would be dramatic. Currently, Bafana Bafana sit atop the table with 13 points from six games, five clear of Rwanda and Benin, six ahead of Nigeria, and seven clear of Lesotho. But if the Lesotho match is forfeited, South Africa would lose three points and Lesotho would gain three. That would reduce South Africa’s tally to 10 points and elevate Lesotho to nine. The standings would suddenly transform into a congested pack: South Africa on 10, Lesotho on 9, Rwanda and Benin on 8 each, and Nigeria lurking close behind with 7. What was once a comfortable five-point cushion would shrink to a precarious single-point lead, turning Group C from a two-horse race into a five-way contest.

Goal Difference: The Hidden Impact on Bafana Bafana

Beyond points, goal difference would also take a severe hit. The original result was a 2–0 victory to South Africa, giving them a +2 swing. If the forfeit is applied, that becomes a 0–3 defeat, a net swing of –5 on their goal difference. In World Cup qualifying, where ties on points are broken by goal difference first, this swing could be critical. South Africa’s goal difference advantage over their rivals would vanish overnight, placing additional pressure on them not just to win matches but to do so emphatically in order to restore their buffer.

Gernot Rohr’s Warning and Group Rivals’ Reactions

This scenario is not unprecedented in African qualifying. Gernot Rohr, now coach of Benin, knows this all too well from his time in charge of Nigeria. When the Super Eagles lost points in 2017 due to Abdullahi’s suspension breach, the sanction was applied even though the match had long been concluded and Nigeria were not the direct beneficiaries. For Rohr, the principle is simple: rules must be enforced, otherwise the integrity of the competition is compromised. He has publicly called the current situation “very, very strange,” noting that normally the punishment should already have been applied and the standings adjusted. His remarks reflect the unease shared by other contenders in Group C, who argue that clarity is essential before the next round of fixtures.

What South Africa Must Do if FIFA Deducts Points

If South Africa do lose the points, their margin for error in the remaining fixtures will be dangerously thin. With four matches left to play, they would likely need at least three wins to secure direct qualification. Even two wins and a draw might not be enough if rivals like Rwanda or Benin find form. A slip at home against Nigeria in Bloemfontein could prove catastrophic, as it would both shrink their lead and embolden their closest pursuers. Moreover, so-called “smaller” teams like Zimbabwe and Lesotho, often treated as straightforward assignments, would become potential landmines under the heightened pressure of a tighter race.

FIFA’s Silence Raises More Questions Than Answers

The uncertainty is compounded by FIFA’s silence. Nearly five months after the breach, the governing body has yet to issue a definitive ruling. This delay has bred confusion, with teams unsure whether to prepare based on the current table or brace for a retroactive adjustment. The risk is that FIFA could render a decision after upcoming fixtures, creating a scenario where teams have made strategic decisions under one set of standings, only to have the ground shift beneath them. Such timing would not only disrupt the sporting rhythm of the qualifiers but also risk undermining the credibility of the process.

The Bigger Picture: South Africa’s World Cup Dream at Risk

For South Africa, the potential consequences extend beyond mathematics. A points deduction would be a psychological blow to a squad that has carefully built momentum under Hugo Broos. It would erode the aura of control they currently enjoy and cast doubt on their administrative competence, an area that has historically plagued African football associations. For rivals like Nigeria, Rwanda, and Benin, however, it would inject new life into their campaigns, turning what looked like an uphill climb into a wide-open race.

FIFA’s Decision Will Define Group C

Ultimately, the case of Teboho Mokoena underscores the unforgiving nature of FIFA’s regulations on player eligibility. The rules are designed to safeguard fairness, and past rulings demonstrate that even administrative errors carry severe consequences. If South Africa escape sanction, it would be an extraordinary departure from precedent. If, however, FIFA enforces the code as expected, the complexion of Group C will change overnight. South Africa would still control their own destiny, but the margin for error would shrink to almost nothing, setting up a tense, unpredictable finale to the qualifying campaign.

1. How many points does South Africa have in Group C?
South Africa lead Group C with 17 points from 8 matches, having won 5, drawn 2, and lost 1. They are three points ahead of Benin, and six points clear of Nigeria and Rwanda.

2. Who are South Africa’s closest challengers in Group C?
Benin are currently South Africa’s nearest rivals with 14 points. Nigeria and Rwanda both sit on 11 points, but still have a mathematical chance of qualifying if South Africa are docked points.

3. What happens if FIFA enforces the Teboho Mokoena suspension ruling?
If FIFA strips South Africa of the 3 points from their 2–0 win over Lesotho, their tally would drop from 17 to 14 points. That would place them level with Benin and open the door for Nigeria and Rwanda to re-enter the race.

4. How would a 3–0 forfeit impact South Africa’s goal difference?
Currently, South Africa enjoy a +8 goal difference. A forfeit could swing that by –5 (removing their +2 win and replacing it with a –3 loss), reducing their advantage and making tiebreakers riskier.

5. Can South Africa still qualify if they lose the points?
Yes. Even with a deduction, South Africa would remain in contention. But the margin for error would shrink, forcing them to secure wins in their remaining fixtures to avoid being overtaken.

6. Has FIFA ruled on similar cases before?
Yes. Nigeria in 2018 and Equatorial Guinea in 2026 qualifiers both lost points for fielding ineligible players. These precedents suggest FIFA could act even if Lesotho did not lodge a protest.