Even though technological advancements have dramatically decreased the room for error when it comes to players’ eligibility to play in some games, these mistakes still happen. The latest example comes from South Africa, where their national team faces a serious penalty – perhaps even a point deduction – after reportedly fielding an ineligible player.Namely, Bafana Bafana faced and beat Lesotho four days ago, moving to the top of their qualifying group and increasing the gap in front of the second-placed Benin to two points. However, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was supposed to miss the game due to accumulated yellow cards, was in the XI, clocking 82 minutes on the pitch!South Africa risks a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible Player in their game against Lesotho.Teboho Mokoena had two yellow cards in two games against Benin and Zimbabwe.South Africa are currently at the top of Group C in the FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers. pic.twitter.com/HQ1A9d4SP9— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 25, 2025 Given that he was booked against Benin in November 2023 and against Zimbabwe last June, he was ineligible to play, which the South African Football Federation (SAFA) allegedly knew and had informed the technical team not to include the player in the squad.Yet, the error happened, and Bafana Bafana can expect a penalty now. Luckily for them, the Lesotho Football Association failed to file the protest in time (the deadline is 24 hours after the match), so the South Africans could “get away” with a financial fine now.Cameroon players ask Eto‘o not to intervene anymoreStill, Lesotho reportedly turned directly to FIFA, trying to resolve the matter and somehow annul the game. If that happens, South Africa will almost certainly face a point deduction, which could seriously jeopardize their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and open up the space for Benin against which Bafana Bafana play today (19.00).2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AFRICASaturday Togo – Mauritania 2-2 (1-0)/Klidje 4, Denkey 69 – Koita 52, Mahmoud 55/Sudan – Senegal 0-0Sunday Eswatini – Mauritius 3-3 (2-0)/Mkhontfo 13, 18, Mabuza 75 – Rose 47, Aristide 50, Vincent 90+1/Kenya – Gabon 1-2 (0-1)/Olunga 62 – Aubameyang 16, 52 pen/Monday Namibia – Equatorial Guinea 1-1 (0-0)/Shalulile 51 – Coco 54/Central African Republic – Mali 0-0Guinea B. – Burkina Faso 1-2 (1-1)/Banjaqui 36 – Traore L. 6, 73/Liberia – Sao Tome 2-1 (2-1)/Andrews 4, Farkarlun 32 – Do Sacramento 44/Ivory Coast – Gambia 1-0 (1-0)/Haller 15/Madagascar – Ghana 0-3 (0-1)/Partey 11, 54, Kudus 59/Ethiopia – Djibouti 6-1 (3-0)/Desta 19, 52, 70 pen, Nasir 34, 37, 58 pen – Akinbinu 51/Tunisia – Malawi 2-0 (0-0)/Jaziri 86, Achouri 90+2/Tuesday16:00: (1.30) Botswana (5.00) Somalia (12.0)19:00: (2.00) Angola (2.90) Cape Verde (4.30)19:00: (4.00) Benin (2.70) S.Africa (2.20)19:00: (1.28) Nigeria (5.40) Zimbabwe (12.0)19:00: (1.53) Rwanda (3.70) Lesotho (7.75)19:00: (3.00) Uganda (2.95) Guinea (2.45)22:00: (1.10) Burundi (10.5) Seychelles (22.0)22:00: (1.35) Cameroon (4.60) Libya (10.5)22:00: (1.17) Egypt (7.25) Sierra Leone (17.0)22:00: (1.35) Sudan (4.60) South Sudan (10.5)00:00: (1.38) Algeria (4.40) Mozambique (10.0)00:00: (1.17) Comores (7.50) Chad (16.0)00:00: (3.20) Mauritania (2.80) Dr Congo (2.60)00:00: (1.30) Senegal (5.20) Togo (11.0)00:30: (1.12) Morocco (9.50) Tanzania (19.0)***odds are subject to changes***
