According to reports from South African broadcaster SABC Sport, the incident stems from South Africa’s Group C qualifier against Lesotho in March, during which Mokoena featured despite having been suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.
The 28-year-old had previously received bookings against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024, which, under FIFA regulations, warranted a one-match suspension.
“In a letter to SAFA dated September 15, 2025 – seen by the public broadcaster, FIFA confirmed that both the player and the association face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of an ineligible player,” the report stated.
FIFA has now referred the case to its Disciplinary Committee, granting both SAFA and Mokoena six days to submit formal responses to the charges.
Should South Africa be found guilty, the consequences could be significant. FIFA may overturn the result of the March fixture,awarding Lesotho a 3–0 win by default. Additional penalties, including fines or further suspensions, could also be imposed.
Bafana Bafana currently top Group C with 17 points. However, if docked points, they would fall level with Benin Republic on 14 points. This development would also close the gap between South Africa and third-placed Nigeria to just three points, potentially reshaping the race for the group’s automatic qualification slot, with only two rounds of matches remaining.
Lesotho, on the other hand, would see their points total increase from six to nine if the match result is reversed. While this would not lift them out of fifth place, it would place them just two points behind both Nigeria and Rwanda, who each sit on 11 points.
Looking ahead, South Africa are set to play Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final two group fixtures in October. Nigeria, meanwhile, will take on Lesotho away before hosting Benin Republic, hoping to capitalize on any South African missteps.
This disciplinary case comes shortly after FIFA sanctioned Equatorial Guinea for a similar violation involving player Emilio Nsue, a decision that was subsequently upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
