“I think our focus right now is to ensure that Bafana get maximum points come October [when they face Zimbabwe and Rwanda] because whatever happens, whether there’s docking of points or whatever you’re saying out there, if we get six points come October, nothing else is going to matter.”
These were the words of South African Football Association (SAFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lydia Monyepao, today, while reacting to the breaking news that FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings over Bafana Bafana’s use of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a World Cup qualifier away to Lesotho on March 21 this year.
The CEO said SAFA was not unduly bothered by any hammer from FIFA,if Bafana Bafana just get the remaining six points home, enough to make them still top Group C.
FIFA has officially opened disciplinary proceedings against SAFA and Mokoena, for allegedly breaching disciplinary regulations.
Mokoena played the Lesotho game even though he was suspended.
The 28-year-old midfielder had picked up two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers — first against Benin in November 2023 and again against Zimbabwe in June 2024 — which, under FIFA rules, should have resulted in a one-match ban.
In a letter to SAFA dated September 15, 2025, FIFA confirmed that both the player and the association are facing charges related to the fielding of an ineligible player.
The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which has given SAFA and Mokoena six days to submit their response.
If found guilty, South Africa could be forced to forfeit the result of the match, handing Lesotho a 3–0 win on paper. Additional sanctions, such as fines or suspensions, could also follow.
Such a ruling would see Bafana level on 14 points with Benin after eight matches but stay top of Group C thanks to a superior goal difference (+6 to Benin’s +4).
Lesotho, meanwhile, would move from six to nine points but remain fifth, two points behind Nigeria and Rwanda, who are both tied on 11 points.
SAFA Unconcerned By FIFA Investigation
Confirming they have received a letter from FIFA notifying them that the global football governing body had opened an investigation into the Mokoena saga, Monyepao insisted that the association “wasn’t really concerned” about possibly losing three points.
Bafana face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their last two fixtures of these qualifiers away and home on October 6 and 13 respectively.
Monyepao said SAFA banks on winning both these games to secure their spot in next year’s World Cup, hence they were not really worried after FIFA has opened an investigation.
“We’ve received communication from FIFA about the investigation they’ve launched in terms of the Lesotho match, where Teboho Mokoena was fielded … we received it [the letter from FIFA] yesterday,” Monyepao said on the sidelines of an event to announce Shield & Vaseline as new Bafana partners at Jabulani Safehub in Soweto on Thursday afternoon (September 18).
“So we’re preparing our response to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee because that’s what ultimately is required from us as the association.
“We are not really worried about that [FIFA’s investigation]. I think our focus right now is to ensure that Bafana get maximum points come October [when they face Zimbabwe and Rwanda] because whatever happens, whether there’s docking of points or whatever you’re saying out there, if we get six points come October, nothing else is going to matter. It’s all about Bafana getting to the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.”
Should a forfeit be handed down by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, South Africa will now find themselves neck-and-neck on 14 points with Benin, albeit Hugo Broos’ charges would remain top of Group C of these qualifiers with a superior goal difference of plus six, compared to that of the Cheetahs, that is plus four.
PHOTO CAPTION: Mokoena.
