Bafana Bafana’s World Cup Qualification at Risk After Feilding Suspended Player

South African team Bafana Bafana’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has encountered a serious obstacle following allegations that midfielder Teboho Mokoena may have been improperly fielded during their critical Group C match against Lesotho. This potential regulatory breach could severely affect the team’s qualification prospects.

The Controversial Yellow Card Accumulation

Mokoena, a key player in Bafana Bafana’s midfield strategy, received his first caution during the opening match against Benin. The midfielder collected another yellow card in their subsequent encounter with Zimbabwe. According to FIFA’s official competition rules, accumulating two yellow cards across different matches automatically triggers a one-match suspension.

Despite these clear regulations, team selectors included Mokoena in the starting lineup for the Lesotho match, where he remained on the pitch for 81 minutes before being substituted. This oversight could seriously violate FIFA’s qualification protocols, potentially resulting in disciplinary action against the South African team.

Potential Fallout for Group C Standings

Bafana Bafana world cup qualification at risk-Image Source@Facebook/Bafana Bafana
Currently leading Group C with 10 points, South Africa maintains a narrow advantage over Benin (8 points) and Rwanda (7 points). Should FIFA determine that Mokoena was indeed ineligible to play, the consequences could be severe:

Possible deduction of points from the Lesotho victory
Loss of top position in the group standings
Increased pressure in remaining qualification matches
Potential advantage for competing teams, including Nigeria