Lesotho Threaten FIFA Protest Over Mokoena Ahead of South Africa Clash
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- 04.09.2025
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Lesotho Threaten FIFA Protest Over Mokoena Ahead of South Africa Clash
Teboho Mokoena, the Bafana Bafana midfielder. The Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) has vowed to take its
grievance directly to FIFA if South Africa decides to field Mokoena in their Group C match day seven encounter.Related News:
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At the heart of the issue lies an alleged breach of FIFA’s disciplinary rules concerning suspensions. The case has reignited debates over
fair play, transparency, and accountability in African football qualifiers.
“We want to make it very clear,” said LEFA Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohap.
“If South Africa lists Teboho Mokoena in their squad, we will lodge an official protest.
The rules must be applied fairly, and we will protect the integrity of this qualification process.”
LEFA’s stance is rooted in the belief that Mokoena should not be allowed to play, given his prior suspension situation.
According to Mohap, the midfielder was dropped from a game against Benin, not suspended, which creates confusion over his eligibility.
He stressed that if Mokoena’s name appears in the squad list, Lesotho will waste no time in lodging a protest with FIFA.
Mokoena featured in that match despite having accumulated two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers, which should have triggered a one-match suspension.The South African Football Association (SAFA) later admitted the mistake, acknowledging that Mokoena should not have been fielded.
However, SAFA argued that since Lesotho failed to lodge a formal protest immediately, the result of the match should stand.
“We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint,” admitted South Africa coach Hugo Broos,
downplaying the potential fallout of the incident.
even in the absence of a formal complaint. In past cases, FIFA has deducted points or awarded victories to opponents
when teams have breached suspension rules.This precedent gives Lesotho’s protest a strong legal basis, especially since FIFA has historically taken a strict stance on
player eligibility and disciplinary matters.
at the top of Group C with 13 points. They lead Rwanda and Benin by five points and hold a
six-point cushion over Nigeria, their next opponents in Bloemfontein.With only a few rounds left in the qualifiers, any deduction of points or annulment of results could
jeopardize South Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup. For Lesotho, who sit on six points,
the situation presents a potential opportunity to close the gap and remain competitive in the group.
who often feel disadvantaged when facing stronger teams. For LEFA, the issue goes beyond a single player; it is about
ensuring fairness and equal application of the rules.By threatening to escalate the matter to FIFA, Lesotho signals its readiness to hold even established football nations accountable.
exploiting a technicality to disrupt South Africa’s momentum, while others believe that
rules are rules, and they must be enforced to maintain the integrity of international competitions.
On social media, South African supporters have expressed frustration, accusing Lesotho of trying to gain an advantage off the pitch.
Conversely, Lesotho’s fans see their federation’s stance as a principled stand against perceived injustice.
Lesotho is expected to act swiftly, filing an immediate protest with FIFA.
Depending on the outcome, FIFA could decide to deduct points from South Africa, fine SAFA, or take other disciplinary action.Regardless of the decision, the episode underscores the importance of meticulous compliance with competition rules,
especially in tournaments where every point counts.
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