Overview
- FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee awarded Lesotho a 3-0 forfeit for the March 21 qualifier in Polokwane that South Africa had won 2-0.
- The decision followed South Africa fielding Teboho Mokoena despite an automatic suspension for two yellow cards, breaching Article 19 and the 2026 preliminary regulations.
- SAFA lost three points, was fined CHF 10,000, and Mokoena received a warning, dropping Bafana to second in Group C behind Benin on goal difference with both on 14 points.
- SAFA has requested written reasons and says it will appeal within FIFA’s 10-day window, with the forfeiture subject to review by the Appeals Committee.
- Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie called the episode embarrassing and ordered an investigation, while South Africa will face Zimbabwe in Durban on Oct. 10 and Rwanda in Mbombela on Oct. 14.