For fielding an ineligible player during their recent 2-0 victory against Lesotho last Friday, South Africa, who are presently leading Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, could face repercussions.
The player, Teboho Mokoena, a midfielder from South Africa, was not allowed to play against Lesotho because he had received two yellow cards in previous games.
In November 2023, Mokoena was given his first yellow card in a 2-1 victory over the Benin Republic at home. In June 2024, he was given another one during a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe.
He played 82 minutes against Lesotho before being replaced by Thalente Mbatha, despite this, and was included in the starting lineup.
A player is not allowed to play in any more games after receiving two yellow cards, according to FIFA’s qualifying rules.
Following two cautions in a single match or throughout the campaign, players or team officials are immediately suspended, under FIFA regulations.
Nigeria and Lesotho, who now trail South Africa by four points in the group, have the chance to publicly challenge this circumstance. However, any protest must be made as soon as possible.
FIFA stipulates that any questions about a player’s eligibility must be submitted in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours following the game, and that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee must receive a complete report within twenty-four hours. Should the deadline be missed, the protest can be ignored.
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A successful protest could earn Lesotho three points, increasing their total to eight. Depending on how future games turn out, this result could drastically change the standings and permit Nigeria to pass South Africa.
Nigeria is currently in fourth place with six points after five games, followed closely by the Benin Republic with eight points, Rwanda with seven, and South Africa with ten. South Africa’s next game against the Benin Republic will be important in deciding where they finish in this tough group.
