In an extraordinary turn of events that has thrown the CAF Group C wide open, the national team, Likuena have been handed a lifeline after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a March 2025 qualifier.
The decision awarded Lesotho a 3-0 windfall win and moved it up to nine points, leaving the prospect of a first-ever World Cup appearance remotely alive.
FIFA’s ruling, which was made earlier this week revived Lesotho’s World Cup hopes while dashing those of the neighbouring South Africa, which was leading the group with 17 points before being punished.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena,” an extract from the FIFA statement reads.
FIFA said Mokoena should have been suspended after accumulating two cautions in earlier group matches, and therefore South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup preliminary competition regulations.
As a result that match played on 21 March 2025, where South Africa emerged 2-0 victors, has been declared forfeited by South Africa (3-0), and SAFA fined CHF 10,000 (about M215 000). On his part, Mokoena has received a warning from the global football governing body.
In response, the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has welcomed FIFA’s decision. LeFA’s Secretary General Mokhosi Mohapi is on record saying that the ruling has vindicated their insistence on upholding the rules, remarking that “the integrity of the game has been preserved.”
He added that Lesotho had always maintained that the protest was about respect for regulations rather than malice towards South Africa.
Reacting to their sanction, the South African Football Association has questioned the procedure that FIFA followed in arriving at its conclusion. SAFA further said they were not afforded an opportunity to present their side of the story before FIFA handed down its ruling.
“As SAFA we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments. The Association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.
SAFA has emphasised its commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in the remainder of qualification campaign, saying the players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to get this far, and will press on to secure maximum points in the matches ahead.
“We apologise to the nation for this administrative oversight and will reflect on the steps to take at the conclusion of our qualifying campaign. Finally, we call on all South Africans to rally behind the team during this final and crucial stage of the qualifiers,” SAFA concluded.
The mathematical permutations that follow the ruling are dramatic, although very unlikely. With two sets of games left, Lesotho sit on nine points and could finish with a maximum of 15, but only if everything else goes their way.
Current group leaders Benin and South Africa are on 14 points and would need to lose both of their remaining matches to leave room at the top. Nigeria, on 11 points, would also have to lose its final two fixtures for Lesotho to overtake them.
In short, Likuena’s path to topping the group requires a near-perfect storm of results. Lesotho host Nigeria in one of the penultimate-round fixtures on October 10 in a match to be played in South Africa, a result that could prove decisive, while the final round on October 14 features matching fixtures that will determine who claims the automatic berth to North America.
Only group winners qualify directly for the 2026 finals, although runners-up face an arduous secondary route.
For a nation that has never reached the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, let alone the World Cup, even a mathematical chance signals a historic moment. Likuena’s fans know the odds are long, but the renewed hope has rekindled belief that Lesotho football can punch above its weight.
Summary
- In an extraordinary turn of events that has thrown the CAF Group C wide open, the national team, Likuena have been handed a lifeline after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a March 2025 qualifier.
- SAFA has emphasised its commitment to supporting Bafana Bafana in the remainder of qualification campaign, saying the players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to get this far, and will press on to secure maximum points in the matches ahead.
- Lesotho host Nigeria in one of the penultimate-round fixtures on October 10 in a match to be played in South Africa, a result that could prove decisive, while the final round on October 14 features matching fixtures that will determine who claims the automatic berth to North America.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
