2026 WCQ: FIFA could still hand South Africa points deduction despite Lesotho’s withdrawal

FIFA could end up deducting points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, despite Lesotho reportedly withdrawing their protest.

Bafana Bafana played Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho when he should have served a one-match ban.

Mokoena picked up two bookings against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe earlier in the series.

Instead the 28-year-old featured as South Africa won 2-0 in Polokwane.

Lesotho had submitted a complaint about the incident to FIFA, but there are rumours that it has been withdrawn.

But according to the former media officer of the Super Eagles, Colin Udoh, that is irrelevant.

Udoh cited Nigeria’s punishment in 2018.

“In 2018, when Nigeria were in a similar position with Shehu Abdullahi, Algeria did not lodge a protest.

“FIFA still took action and turned a 1-1 draw into a 0-3 loss,” Udoh wrote on X.

South Africa could lose three points, while Lesotho are awarded three goals and three points, if FIFA rules on the matter.

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