Lesotho Football Association Secretary General, Mokhosi Mohapi, has threatened to escalate matters to FIFA if South Africa fields Teboho Mokoena in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Group C clash, scheduled for matchday seven, will see Lesotho host Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium.
Controversy has surrounded Mokoena since earlier this year, when he played in South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho despite having accumulated two yellow cards, a situation that ordinarily renders him ineligible.
According to FIFA’s disciplinary rules, a team risks forfeiting a match and losing three points if an ineligible player is fielded, provided the opposition lodges an official protest within 24 hours of the game.
Mohapi has now made it clear that Lesotho will act immediately if Mokoena features in Hugo Broos’ squad.
“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 told 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 has yet to comment on the matter, leaving uncertainty over whether South Africa could face disciplinary action. For now, all eyes are on Friday’s fixture and the potential fallout.
