Lesotho Football Association (LFA) Secretary General Mokhosi Mohapi has issued a warning that they will file a protest with FIFA if Bafana Bafana includes Teboho Mokoena in their squad for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Lesotho will host South Africa inside the Free State Stadium in Group C, matchday seven encounter.
The issue surrounding Mokoena has been a topic of discussion since South Africa’s 2-0 victory over the football minnows earlier this year.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder received two yellow cards, making him ineligible to play in the match against Lesotho; however, he still featured.
According to FIFA regulations, if an ineligible player competes in a qualifying match, the team he represents can be penalised by losing three points, provided the opposing team submits a protest within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.
Lesotho FA Secretary General Mohapi said that they will protest a minute into the match if Mokoena is part of the 18-man Bafana squad on Friday.
“If South Africa dare play Teboho Mokoena, we will lodge a protest and will tell you why…We will lodge a protest which goes back to the other match, because he has never served the suspension that he was meant to have served,” he said on Soccer Beat (via southafrican.com).
“The suspension was supposed to be automatic during the match against Lesotho. Against Benin, he did not serve the suspension; he was not picked for that match.
“Against Bafana, we are going to wait three minutes into the match and then protest,” Mohapi warned.
FIFA are yet to issue a statement surrounding the outcome of the Mokoena saga.
Bafana Bafana and Lesotho will face each other on Friday, unsure whether the association will deduct points from South Africa.
13 Comments
So what exactly is going on in this matter?
Are they trying to tell us that FIFA are not going to deduct any points from cheating SA because their blood brothers Lesotho did not raise an official complaint about the last offence? They should not try it o! Because they will never hear the end of the matter if somehow those cheating South Africans get to keep the 3 points that they obtained by cheating.
FIFA – The whole world is watching!! Why have you gone silent on this matter? The crime/offence has already been committed, the penalty MUST be applied ke!
I think Lesotho is trying to do padi-padi things with SA. Imagine telling someone, “If you do this, I will report you.”
is that not like giving the person a heads up or winking to him to avoid trouble???
Anyway, I watched the interview with the Lesotho FA sec-gen. He said they spoke to FIFA on the last issue, and FIFA directed them to the disciplinary committee, and they were wondering why FIFA would want them to compose an official letter when their rules are clear. He added that FIFA has not come back to say yes or no on the matter, and everyone is waiting in suspense.
Like some have pointed out, when FIFA docked us 3 points in 2018, none of Algeria, Zambia, or Cameroon protested. No one was aware of the Sehu Abdullahi yellow card situation. FIFA took the action on its own at the end of the qualifiers. Imagine if we had qualified with only one or 2 points, Zambia would have leapfrogged us.
FIFA will probably do the deduction in March at the end of the qualifiers.
March is too far. Final match days are in October and playoffs begin in November.
Who legitimately tops our group after October will then be decided by FIFA
They just want us, everybody to focus.
If we drop any points, protest will be academic.
They are aware RSA are playing all their remaining games at home so they might coerce the other countries to “lose” points and still gain advantage.
It’s best the air of mystery.
Just let the eagles, pray, do their jobs.
6 games. 7 scored. 6 conceded.
If we had been serious from the beginning, this would not have happened.
Are you sure they even learned from the Qatar failure?
Truly bro am seeing a foul play FIFA president and caf president are both friends.
Guy find another Username.. stop impersonating me. @kel, greenturf, et al this is not the original four four two u guys know and form a bond witn so pls disregard this post. Meanwhile if he doesn’t stop impersonating me I shall announce a new username soon . Thanks @all for understanding.
I hear you, @4-4-2; it’s just that it’s a bit confusing.
Which Four-Four-Two usually likes to write in ALL CAPS, and sometimes posts as JULIET?
Very stupid people
My opinion South Africa VS Lesotho previous match was a march fixed between the two brothers nations. Both should be punished
Period!!!
Threaten??Wow so why are Lesotho competing to go the world cup?Because as a team aspiring to go to the world cup you fight for every point but if they’re giving South Africa conditions of which not in compliance,they’ll file a report which will fetch them 3 points and South Africa losing same number!
Even so,don’t they want the 3 points i’m surprise because if you not interested in gaining points why are you travelling these miles playing games that could qualify you for the world cup?
With no doubts about,if it were Nigeria Lesotho won’t hesitate to protest.
This is all for show. Don’t give it to their antics.
Palm greasing has taken place already. This simply means Lesotho did not lodge a complain previously, and it was done on purpose that is why they’re using this medium to announce their fraudulent scheme. Lol NFF upto you show us what you’ve got because the Soweto brothers has just played a neat one against one. And Fifa can not tell us they’ll allow this scheme to play out!
Lesotho who’s less ambitious and poverty stricken thinks this comment in September makes any sense. Why not make this comment at March? Why now?? Aboki led NFF did not follow up matters as well no wonder these two Cosafa teams are playing this card now. Because it will make more sense if Lesotho no talk at all than to start talking in September. Who come be mumu?
Does anyone expect Motsepe to shake body?? No is the answer, and can anyone trust our NFF??? Why is only Mr Rohr the person complaining before now???
I don’t trust Lesotho, neither do I trust Nigeria corrupt NFF who can easily sell its birthright for 100usd. I will be following this development from my corner.
South Africans are cheaters. They are doing this because the Chairman of AFCON is a South African. He said that FIFA rules do not apply to them. South Africa can do and undo as long as l am the Chairman of the whole African football. They bribed the referee to swing the match. FIFA cannot challenge the South Africa my country. Thats what he said. Now, what can anyone do about it? South Africans are very corrupt to the cure Thats why their country is falling apart today.