Bafana sanctioned after fielding an ineligible player, SAFA to appeal FIFA ruling

Bafana Bafana have been taught a harsh lesson, namely that the devil is in the details.

Robert Collier suggests that “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”, and through the neglect of one thing, for Bafana, months of hard work and discipline were undone in a single moment of oversight – and the fallout has placed their World Cup qualification hopes under pressure.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) have been bracing for this blow for weeks now, and still this has hit hard.

FIFA ruling

FIFA ruled against South Africa after Teboho Mokoena featured in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho despite being suspended. Bafana won the match 2-0, but the victory has now been overturned.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited … SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000,” read an official FIFA statement.

The result is now recorded as a 3-0 victory for Lesotho. Mokoena was issued a warning, while SAFA must pay a fine equivalent to more than R216,000.

SAFA’s response

SAFA confirmed it will challenge FIFA’s decision.

“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome, noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments.

“The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules,” SAFA said in a statement.

Despite the sanction, SAFA stressed its support for the national team.

“Despite the outcome, the Association emphasises its continued commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in their qualification campaign. The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they secure maximum points in the matches ahead.

“We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers,” the statement continued.

The road ahead

Bafana’s three-point deduction has dropped them to second place in Group C, level on 14 points with Benin but behind on goal difference.

To secure qualification, Hugo Broos’ side must win their remaining games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda — and do so convincingly. A 3-0 win over each side could be enough, given Benin’s advantage is only a single goal.

Bafana host Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10, followed by Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on October 14. Both matches kick off at 6pm.

While SAFA pursues its appeal, the message is clear: anything less than victory in these final fixtures could complicate or even derail South Africa’s World Cup dream.