Bafana Bafana face Fifa sanction for fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier

Bafana Bafana are on the verge of being fined by Fifa, which has reportedly launched an investigation after they fielded an ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a Fifa World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.

Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualifiers prior to the Fifa break in March, making him ineligible for the clash against Likuena. However, Bafana’s team manager, Vincent Tseka, missed that ruling, and Mokoena featured in the match.

After realising the blunder and facing public outcry, coach Hugo Broos decided not to name Mokoena in the match-day squad for the next clash against Benin, which was held at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast. South Africa won that game 2-0.

Since then, uncertainty has surrounded the situation — particularly whether Fifa would apply their disciplinary code, which mandates punishment for fielding an ineligible player, regardless of whether Lesotho lodged an official complaint.

It initially seemed that Bafana were in the clear, as Fifa posted a cryptic message ahead of their clash with Nigeria. The message suggested that if South Africa won, and the result between Benin and Lesotho went in their favour, they would qualify for the global showpiece in North America next year.

Hopes among Bafana supporters were raised when Fifa released a list of offenders and pending cases during the qualifiers.

However, the omission of CAF-related matters from that list raised alarm bells. According to SABC Sport, Bafana are not off the hook. On Monday Fifa reportedly sent a letter to Safa confirming that the association faces charges for breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of an ineligible player.

Fifa’s likely sanction would be a deduction of three points and a 3-0 forfeit loss awarded against Bafana. Nevertheless, South Africa could still top Group C and qualify for the World Cup if they win their last two qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month.