South Africa's World Cup Qualifier Drama: Eligibility Issue Could Shake Up Group C

Scope 01 Apr 2025

South Africa’s Lead in Group C at Risk Due to Eligibility Controversy

Here’s the scoop: South Africa, currently sitting pretty at the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, might find themselves in hot water after fielding a player who wasn’t supposed to be on the pitch. It all happened during their 2-0 win against Lesotho last Friday. This little mishap could end up costing them big time, potentially altering the entire dynamic of the group.

Teboho Mokoena: The Player at the Center of the Storm

Let’s talk about Teboho Mokoena, the South African midfielder who found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. According to FIFA rules, Mokoena wasn’t eligible to play in that match against Lesotho because he had already picked up two yellow cards in earlier games. Now, that’s a pretty clear-cut violation right there. Let me break it down for you.

Mokoena’s first yellow card came during a thrilling 2-1 home victory over the Benin Republic back in November 2023. Fast forward to June 2024, and he was cautioned again in a solid 3-1 win over Zimbabwe. Two yellow cards mean automatic suspension for the next match—no ifs, ands, or buts. Yet, there he was, on the field for 82 minutes before being replaced by Thalente Mbatha. Oops.

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FIFA’s Rules: Clear as Day

FIFA’s regulations on player eligibility are about as straightforward as it gets. If a player racks up two yellow cards, they’re out of commission for the next game. It’s black and white, no gray area. To make things even clearer, FIFA mandates that any player or team official receiving two cautions—whether in the same match or across different games in the competition—must serve an automatic suspension.

This rule isn’t new, and it’s certainly not up for interpretation. So, you’d think teams would be extra vigilant about these kinds of things. But here we are, talking about a potential breach that could have far-reaching consequences for South Africa’s World Cup dreams.

Nigeria and Lesotho: Are They Ready to Protest?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Both Nigeria and Lesotho, who are trailing South Africa by four points in the group standings, have the option to formally protest this situation. If they decide to take action, they need to act fast. According to FIFA, any concerns about player eligibility must be raised in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match. That’s followed by a full report that needs to be submitted within 24 hours to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. Miss the deadline, and the protest is null and void.

If either team manages to file a successful protest, Lesotho could be awarded three points, bumping their total to eight. This shift could dramatically change the group standings, opening the door for Nigeria to potentially overtake South Africa, depending on how the rest of the matches play out. Talk about a game-changer!

The Current Standings and What’s at Stake

Right now, South Africa is leading the pack with 10 points, closely followed by the Benin Republic with eight points, Rwanda with seven points, and Nigeria trailing in fourth place with six points after five matches. With so much still up for grabs, every point matters. South Africa’s next match against the Benin Republic is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in this highly competitive group.

This is no time for South Africa to take anything for granted. One misstep, one oversight, and their World Cup hopes could take a serious hit. Meanwhile, the other teams in the group are surely keeping a close eye on developments, ready to pounce if the opportunity arises. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the drama is just getting started.