Lesotho FA Speaks after ‘victory over Bafana Bafana’

The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) says it feels vindicated after FIFA sanctioned Bafana Bafana with a three-point deduction over the Teboho Mokoena saga, blowing wide open the qualifying group for next year’s World Cup.

The South African Football Association (Safa), meanwhile, has vowed to file an appeal.

Speaking to TimeLive, LeFA secretary Mokhosi Mohapi said on Monday it welcomed the ruling, which meant Bafana dropped to second place in Group C behind Benin on goal difference, paying the heavy price for fielding Mokoena when he was suspended in South Africa's 2-0 win against Likuena in Polokwane in March.

The 3-0 win instated by the Fifa disciplinary committee to Lesotho sees Bafana drop from 17 points and a +8 goal difference at the top of Group C to second place on 14 and +3 to Benin, who have 14 points and a +4 difference. Lesotho moved to nine points.

Our pursuit to this case has nothing to do with South Africa

“Fifa has done well to respect its own regulations,” Mohapi said.

Bafana docked three points for fielding ineligible Mokoena in World Cup game against Lesotho

Fifa DC ‘declared the match in question to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0’.

“We had always maintained that our pursuit of this case had nothing to do with South Africa. Lesotho is a bona fide member of Fifa and we played the rightful role to ensure the football rules are respected. We are happy to have been vindicated.”

Bafana will take hope that Benin have a tough two remaining matches next month against Rwanda and Nigeria, both away. South Africa face already-eliminated Zimbabwe and second-placed hopefuls Rwanda, both in this country, and either need to score many goals to overtake Benin's goal difference, or hope the drop points.

FIFA should have acted earlier

Pressure on Fifa, which had not taken action against South Africa, had been mounting in the months before Monday’s ruling. Mohapi said while justice delayed is not justice denied, he would have preferred that the sanction be made earlier.

“We would have loved to have played the last matches earlier this month with the case finalised already. We would have approached the games differently, knowing we had nine points. But the group is now interesting because four of the five teams all have a chance going into the last matches,” he said.

Mohapi reiterated LeFa has no hard feelings towards Bafana., “If Bafana eventually make it as the group winners, I will buy their shirt and support them at the World Cup because they would have earned their place. Mr [Hugo] Broos should know I was not talking nonsense when I said South Africa has a case to answer. I now feel fulfilled.”

Bafana face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10 (a home match for Zimbabwe, but they don't have an venue in their country) and Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on October 14.

How SAFA responded

Fifa also confirmed Safa has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (about R216,000) while Mokoena, who was not selected for Bafana's next match against Benin in March after the mistake was picked up, escaped with a warning.

Safa had hoped that because Lesotho missed the prescribed 48 hours to protest an ineligible player it might escape without sanction, but there is much precedent for Fifa stepping in regardless when the evidence of a transgression is clear.

“We are deeply disappointed with the unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons. We have requested written reasons and intend to lodge a formal appeal within the prescribed 10-day period,” Safa said in a statement.

The association was silent on what action would be taken against officials who did not pick up the error.