Further trouble for Bafana Bafana: FIFA opens new case over Lesotho match! | OneFootball

It seems that the South African Federation will face inevitable sanctions.

Getty Images

For months, the shadow of uncertainty loomed over South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign. FIFA had remained silent—almost as if the controversial match between Bafana Bafana and Lesotho had slipped through the cracks of memory. Many hoped the issue was forgotten, buried under the weight of bigger footballing matters. But just as the qualifying journey nears its climax, a sudden and serious development has brought the incident back into the spotlight.

Press reports are already talking about it.

According to a report by SABC, on Monday, September 15, the South African Football Association was formally notified by FIFA. The letter outlined allegations that both the association and player Teboho Mokoena had breached multiple disciplinary codes—most notably, the use of an ineligible player.

The matter has now been escalated to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. South Africa’s football body, along with Mokoena, has been given six days to present their defense. If found guilty, the consequences could be severe: a technical defeat against Lesotho, stripping the team of its earlier result, and potential financial sanctions that would add further sting to the setback.