BREAKING: FIFA overturns South Africa’s win, awards Lesotho 3-0 victory in World Cup Qualifier

World football governing body, FIFA, has ruled that South Africa must forfeit a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho after fielding an ineligible player.

The fixture, played on March 21 in Polokwane, originally ended in a 2-0 victory for Bafana Bafana. However, following FIFA’s decision, the result has been overturned to a 3-0 win in favour of Lesotho. The ruling drops South Africa to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, level on points with leaders Benin but behind on goal difference, while Lesotho remain in fifth position.

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had already accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, making him ineligible for the Lesotho clash.

In addition to the forfeiture, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $12,536). The body retains the right to appeal the ruling before FIFA’s Appeals Committee.