Lesotho FA celebrates FIFA ruling as Bafana Bafana lose crucial points

The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has expressed satisfaction following FIFA’s decision to penalize South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during a World Cup qualifier in March.

The ruling, which awards Lesotho a 3–0 victory, dramatically reshapes Group C’s standings and intensifies the race for qualification.

LeFA secretary Mokhosi Mohapi welcomed the decision, stating, ‘FIFA has done well to respect its own regulations. We’ve always maintained that our pursuit of the case was about upholding football’s integrity, not targeting South Africa.’

The sanction sees Bafana Bafana drop from 17 points and a +8 goal difference to 14 points and +3, placing them second behind Benin, who now lead the group on goal difference with +4. Lesotho climbs to nine points, reigniting their hopes of qualification.

South Africa had originally defeated Lesotho 2–0 in Polokwane, but the result was overturned after it was revealed that Mokoena had been suspended and should not have played.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee handed Lesotho the 3–0 win and also fined the South African Football Association (Safa) 10,000 Swiss Francs (approximately R216,890). Mokoena escaped with a warning and was not selected for South Africa’s subsequent match against Benin.

Safa has announced its intention to appeal the decision, criticizing the process as ‘unprecedented’ and noting that the ruling was delivered by a single-member panel without explanation. The association is seeking written reasons and plans to file a formal appeal within the 10-day window.

Despite the controversy, Mohapi emphasized that LeFA holds no animosity toward Bafana Bafana.

‘If South Africa qualifies, I’ll buy their shirt and support them at the World Cup. They would have earned it,’ he said.

He also expressed regret that the ruling came late, which affected Lesotho’s approach to earlier matches.

The final round of fixtures promises high drama. Benin faces tough away games against Rwanda and Nigeria, while South Africa hosts Zimbabwe on October 10 and Rwanda on October 14. With goal difference now a decisive factor, Bafana must score heavily to reclaim top spot.