The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced its intention to appeal FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

 

 

 

The penalty stems from fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a Group C match against Lesotho in March.

 

 

 

FIFA announced on Monday that it was awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory in the qualifier, which South Africa had initially won 2-0.

 

 

 

 

Mokoena was deemed ineligible because he was supposed to be suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the earlier group stages.

 

 

 

The points deduction sees Bafana Bafana drop from the top spot to second position with 14 points, placing them behind Benin Republic, who also have 14 points. Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain in third place on 11 points.

 

 

 

 

 

SAFA expressed deep disappointment with the ruling, stating it was “unprecedented” and delivered by a single-member panel “without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments.”

 

 

 

 

 

The association confirmed it has requested written reasons for the judgment and plans to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period.

 

 

 

 

 

In a statement, SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan apologised to the nation for the “administrative oversight,” but stressed that the association remains focused on the team’s qualification campaign.

 

 

 

 

The team’s final two qualifiers are scheduled for next month: against Zimbabwe in Durban on October 10 and against Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium four days later.