No Hard Feelings Lesotho Fa Breaks Silence On Mokoena Debacle As Super Eagles Long For World Cup Boost

The Lesotho Football Association secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi has demanded that FIFA punish South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Friday,

South Africa lead Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 13 points after pickings wins against Lesotho and Benin in their last two games in this international break. However, they are in hot soup after it was discovered that they fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho.

Coach Hugo Broos named Teboho Mokoena in his lineup against Lesotho. But the midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards against Benin and Zimbabwe, thus rendering him ineligible for the Lesotho game.

This situation is similar to what happened to Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers , when they were ducked three points after fielding Shehu Abdullahi, who had accumulated two yellow cards beforehand.

According to FIFA disciplinary rules Article 19.1 and 19.2, if a team fields an ineligible player, such team could face appropriate disciplinary measures when the opposing team protests. The punishment is the forfeiture of the match and a CHF 6,000 fine at least.