Official: South Africa docked 3 points by Fifa in WCQ, fined N18.6m, Mokoena warned

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been punished by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for using an ineligible player in their March 2025 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured in South Africa's 2-0 win at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on March 21 despite being suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

FIFA ruled that SAFA breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.

As a consequence, the result has been overturned, with South Africa deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0 in favour of Lesotho.

SAFA has also been fined CHF 10,000 ( approximately N18.6 million in Nigerian currency), while Mokoena received a formal warning.

The association has ten days to request a motivated decision, which may subsequently be published, and can still appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.

The sanction has significant implications for the Group C standings. 

With the points deduction, South Africa now drop to 14 points, level with Benin Republic, while Nigeria sits three points behind on 11 points, boosting the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Adeyemi Adewale

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