FIFA ends speculation over Bafana Bafana-Teboho Mokoena controversy

Bafana Bafana have been cleared of any wrongdoing by world football governing body FIFA following the controversy surrounding the fielding of Teboho Mokoena in a past match.

Mokoena was fielded in South Africa’s World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March, when Hugo Broos’ men won 2-0, despite the fact that he had been suspended for the game.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had been ineligible to face Lesotho over an accumulation of cards but an administrative error on the part of Bafana Bafana saw him play.

Lesotho and Nigeria wanted Bafana punished

It would emerge later that the midfielder had been allowed to play against the rules with Lesotho protesting but luckily for South Africa, the window of lodging an appeal had passed, by the time the anomaly was discovered.

However, that did not stop Lesotho from protesting as they urged FIFA to punish South Africa with points deduction and maintained the same stance when the two teams faced off in Bloemfontein this month.

They had even threatened to escalate the matter if Mokoena played against them in the return leg but coach Hugo Broos remained defiant and fielded the midfielder, who had an impressive display in the 3-0 win.

Nigeria also joined the queue when they protested the fielding of Mokoena before and after their match with South Africa last week as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Free State Stadium.

What has FIFA said over the controversy?

𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

FIFA have released a list of the latest disciplinary sanctions for the qualifying campaign of the FIFA World Cup 26. 📄

Some decisions may be subject to appeal.

🚨South Africa have NO pending incidents.🇿🇦🧵 pic.twitter.com/hQ4ycEZpP9

— Sahil Ebrahim (@sahil_e_) September 15, 2025

However, from a number rulings and disciplinary decisions released by FIFA on Monday regarding the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Bafana Bafana are in the clear as they will not be facing any punishment.

South Africa lead their qualification group with 17 points, three ahead of Benin, and six more than Nigeria, with two qualifying matches remaining.

Four points from the matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, or even three, will be enough for Bafana Bafana to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2010.