2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Mokoena Yellow Card Saga; What You Should Know Before Bafana Bafana Face Nigeria

Few episodes have stirred as much confusion as South Africa’s ongoing dispute over Teboho Mokoena’s yellow card suspension, Soccernet.ng reports... Read ..Full.. Article.. .

The midfielder, who is a key figure in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana side, was fielded against Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier despite having accumulated two bookings in earlier matches.

That decision has left South Africa in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Per reports, Lesotho lodged a formal protest with FIFA to demand a three-point deduction and a 3-0 forfeiture.

While South Africa’s legal team continues to argue that Mokoena sat out the following match against Benin—technically serving his suspension—critics insist SAFA had no right to decide which game would count.

With FIFA yet to hand down its final ruling, the case has thrown the group wide open and raised serious questions about administrative competence in South African football.

How Did It Happen?

Teboho Mokoena collected two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign, which made him ineligible for the clash against Lesotho.

Despite this, he was included in the starting lineup, per Daily News. Lesotho officials immediately cried foul, threatening a formal protest ahead of the game, and followed through after the game, and..  Read . .More —