The rules might stipulate Lesotho should have lodged a protest over Bafana Bafana fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena against them within 24 hours, but South Africa still seem likely to have points deducted, an expert said.
According to Times Live, the expert on Fifa rules and disciplinary committee (DC) procedures, who did not want to be named, said the global body is likely to enforce its rules, including the possibility of a points deduction, given Bafana fielded an ineligible player.
The South Africans played with Mokoena in their line-up as they beat Lesotho 2-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier in Polokwane on Friday.
Initial indications were the South African Football Association was hopeful Bafana would not be sanctioned as Lesotho missed a one-day deadline to lodge a protest as per Fifa rules.
The expert said dismissing a case because of the deadline is the norm for a Fifa DC, but there are exceptions.
“Usually the DC adheres to that [24-hour] time limit and would dismiss the matter if it wasn’t adhered to unless there is fraud or forgery or something to that effect involved,” they said.
The expert, though, said if it was brought to Fifa’s intention in writing that an ineligible player was fielded, even after the deadline for a protest, there was a strong chance the global body would initiate a DC on its own accord.
The Lesotho FA has confirmed is has sent a query in writing to Fifa over the Mokoena matter.
Asked if Fifa can bring a charge in that case, the expert replied: “Yes, definitely. If it comes to their knowledge anybody has gone against the rules with regards to forgery or something where [rules are broken, Fifa can act].
“The normal situation is the club or country and player know the situation that the player is eligible to play.
“If they know a player is not eligible to play the duty is on them to disclose that. If they fail to disclose it, then you’re not playing technically to the rules.
“But there must be something in writing. So let’s assume Lesotho lodged a protest having found out [about the transgression] more than 24 hours later. They can write to Fifa and say, ‘Yes, the rules say 24 hours but we weren’t aware at the time that the player was ineligible, this information only came to our knowledge [for example] 48 hours later.’
“It’s not up to the clubs or countries to go and check every single [opposition] player to say they are eligible or not. It’s up to the country to ensure the players they field are eligible.
“If you’re saying the player was not eligible then Lesotho have a case.”
Bafana (13 points) crucially, given the situation with the administrative bungle, extended their lead to a five points gap in group C with their impressive 2-0 win against Benin in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Tuesday. Mokoena was not fielded in that match.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos will be cursing the debacle of the bungled suspension.
Nigeria being held to a 1-1 draw at home against Lesotho and with second-placed Rwanda getting the same result at home against Lesotho left the South Africans sitting pretty after Tuesday’s results.
However, three points deducted — the most likely sanction — would leave Bafana with a harder path to the first 48-team World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US next year, though they would effectively still have a two-point lead.
There might also be the uncertainty factor, given that the Fifa DC might take time to take the case on and come to a conclusion.
There are four matches left to play in the African qualifiers in two rounds of two in September and October.
Behind Bafana in group C, Rwanda and Benin have eight points, Nigeria seven, Lesotho six and Zimbabwe four.
The top teams from nine African groups qualify for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up going into a playoff for the chance at one more place via an intercontinental playoff.
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This is the FIFA rule below.
A. Suspensions for Yellow Cards (Article 17)
17.3:
“A player who receives two cautions (yellow cards) in two separate matches of the Preliminary Competition will be automatically suspended for the next match in the same competition.”
17.4:
“Suspensions must be served during the next match in the same competition, even if it takes place in a different tournament cycle.”
B. Protests & Deadlines (Article 58-59)
58.1 (Protests):
“Any protest regarding player eligibility must be submitted in writing to FIFA within 24 hours after the match.”
58.3 (Late Submissions):
“Protests not filed within the deadline will not be considered.”
59.1 (Sanctions):
“If a team fields an ineligible player, FIFA may declare the match forfeited (3-0 defeat) or impose other disciplinary measures.”
However, the question remains: will FIFA ignore the 24-hour timeframe stipulation, as Lesotho didn’t file the case on March 22? Hopefully, they can admit the argument that they only discovered Mokoena was ineligible more than 24 hours after the match.
If FIFA admits that argument (and they should), then this group is wide open again, which is why I said Nigeria will still miraculously qualify.
@Kel
If FIFA could admit the argument of Lesotho and act on it, I definitely share your sentiment. I believe Nigeria will qualify if SA justifiably loses the 3poınts.
My belief stems from the 2 games we played. Yes. we didn’t get the full result we needed but we did play well. I trust Chelle. He is man with a plan. We just need to work on our mistakes and try to score when the chances come. İ it’s quite ironic that our strongest asset which is our attack hasn’t been efficient as it should be. Without Osimhen, it’s like our barrel is dry. That shouldn’t be. Everyone has to do the lifting as well.
On the other hand, ı don’t know why the NFF isn’t protesting the use of SA as ‘home’ matches for Lesotho and Zimbabwe. It’s an undue advantage to SA. Even the SA coach fairly made that known in one of his interviews. I understand Lesotho and Zimbabwe doesn’t have befitting stadia, but they could play elsewhere rather than SA for fairness. There is Angola just around the corner. Heck, they can play in Morocco like everyone else. Whatever their pick but not SA.
Anyway, it is just unfortunate, we find ourselves in this mess, just because we chose to go with ‘our own’ after the disastrous start with Peseiro. Now the calculators are out, and we are hoping on miracles. A miracle I don’t mind.
@Hush, this NFF is just too docile. If they had been proactive, their legal department could have spotted the yellow card violation and lodged a complaint with FIFA before Lesotho did. FIFA wouldn’t ignore two FAs from the same group.
But Gusau and his goons are more laidback than a sloth. As you pointed out, they could have protested against the match venues. But, no, they won’t.
Perhaps like Pinick, Gusau is also eyeing a CAF executive or FIFA role in the near future and doesn’t want to get into Motsepe’s bad book.
Motsepe is another card SA may deploy in FIFA when the relevant FIFA sub-committee meets to deliberate whether to ratify or throw out the Lesotho petition.
We hope for a miracle, and I’ll still keep that hope.
Even if points are deducted The super Eagles does not look convincing enough to quantify. First , the Coaches that have so far been employed to manage the team do not have what it takes to build a team capable of qualifying for the world cup. Look at the midfield.. and defence. Nididi is not my ideal no4 compared to what Nigeria is known for. Too slow , lacking momentum and forward play : cannot take direct shots from outside like Oliseh and Onazi, . the only National team players in that team are Osihmen and Moses simon as well as Ola aina
Ndidi played well. He covered up for the hapless Osayi several times and was tired towards the end.
Not taking anything from Ndidi @Alex, but did you see the wide open net chance he missed in the game?
Now imagine any other midfielder, past or present, with such golden opportunity – Keshi, Mikel, Dele Bashiru, Oliseh etc.
If a mouth-watering pass is laid to a Super Eagle in the final third, and it happens to be Ndidi, then forget it will be converted. He will either balloon it away or use the wrong leg.
If he and Chukwueze had been half as efficient as Osimhen and Lookman, Zimbabwe’s last-minute goal would have just been a consolation goal.
Kel. Thank you for this. I always value your intelligent post on this forum. You are not likely the person who is bitter about rohr and who has failed to give this forum useful post as he used to give before rohr was sacked (laugh).
Really even if we qualify, the question is : These players don’t look like people who want to play at the world cup. They are just too lazy for my liking. I hope they won’t go to the world cup to disgrace us.
I watched Argentina vs Brazil and I saw the way players put their lives on line to score goals. They always practically force goals into the net. But the care is different for our players. Too lazy and relaxed when they come to the national team.
I wish them the best but really I don’t think they deserve to be at the world cup.
One win in six matches is disgraceful!!!! Very disgraceful!!!
A big shame.
Thanks, @Christian Ministries in Nigeria. The irony is that when you watch other teams topping the other groups or in second position, none of them are as good as Nigeria. NONE!
Something is definitely wrong somewhere. Maybe Akpabio’s name has jinxed the stadium.
Kenneth on this forum used to say the problem isn’t the coach but the players who aren’t committed. I don’t usually share that view, but I think he might be right after all. Clearly, Osimhen and Lookman’s level of commitment is on another level.
Osimhen signalled to be subbed off when he knew he won’t be 100% fit, but Ekong didn’t when he was tired. If he was not so tired, the Zim player wouldn’t have strolled to the goal after they had taken out the hapless Ndidi on the way to the goal.
Hehehehehe….I thought you claimed “you dont even read his (Dr.Drey’s) comments”….LMAOoo…How did you then realize he doesn’t give you “intelligent posts” anymore….?
Of course, he’s not the type that cooks up lies and unfounded insinuations and innuendos to come excrete here on CSN. He’s not a blind sycophant who is seeking validation and hence will always speak truth to the conscience of stakeholders.
On the other hand, what have your intelligent posts yielded if I may ask….?? Thank God you answered that yourself………
“….One win in six matches is disgraceful!!!! Very disgraceful!!! A big shame…..”
Yes, your intelligent posts have yielded nothing but A BIG SHAME and also a SHAM.
Anyone who isn’t bitter about Rohr’s blatantly unjust dismissal, with where we have found ourselves afterwards, is simply evil and an enemy of Nigerian football.
We have gone from leaving the rest of our group in the dusty wake of our disappearance in qualifications to going to beg CAF and FIFA to deduct points from our contenders since we cant beat them on our own anymore……..LMAOooo…….We have gone from leading our group from day 1 to last day to hovering between 5th and 4th in a group comprising of Lesotho, Benin, Rwanda and Zimbabwe….We have gone from thrashing 3 African champions (the past, the current and the future champion) and even suffering points deduction yet finish top of the group with 2 point lead to chasing as much as 6 points against teams that don’t even qualify for AFCON on regular basis…….LMAOooo
How are the mighty fallen.
…..contd…..
Intelligent posts have taken us from chasing 4 points after matchday 4 to chasing 6 points after matchday 6……LMAOoo……I hope we wont be chasing 8 points by matchday 8 with these false prophets and their prophesies under the smokescreen of intelligent posts.
We have come to the point where we are not only praying for teams in our group to drop points in the next 4 matches, we are now also praying that innocent teams who are going their own way jeje in other groups should stumble and fall so that we can rise. That is the level of wickedness and heartlessness of the prophets of Baal who till today cannot tell us why Rorh was dismissed and yet want to tell us whose name we should mention or shouldn’t mention.
Abi una think say oyinbo man too nor get ancestors wey go fight for am……LMAOoo….make una dey play ehn…..LMAOooo.
May God not let us be used to suffering and failure like some people wish for Nigeria.
If you were indeed a spirit-led minister, it should have bothered you how and why a team with such an array of stars cannot win WCQ matches since Rohr left……The figures say we have only won 1 in 8, whereas we won 8 in 12 (losing just once)with almost the same boys (a lot of them were even much younger 19,20, 21) under the man whose name you hate to hear like demons hate to hear the name of Jesus.
If you have ever been truly used by the Holy Spirit to render deliverance, you should have know that some inexplicable bondages come from evil done in the past, from parents or grand or great grandparents that require confession, appeasement/atonement, absolution and penance for the bondage to be broken.
But alas, in Nigeria today, every tom, jack and harry that can afford a 6-piece suit and can read a bible parades himself as a minister.
Instead of getting pained that Dr.Drey exercises his right to speech and opinions, kindly focus your energy and on fasting and praying that 2nd place teams in other groups who already have 12 to 15 points can lose their remaining 4 matches and SE win theirs so they can at least make it to the playoffs.
Once again, anyone who isn’t bitter about Rohr’s blatantly unjust dismissal, with where we have found ourselves afterwards, is simply evil and an enemy of Nigerian football. Lie to yourselves all you want, our football hasn’t still recovered ever since. All the indices are there for all to see.
I rehab has changed you disgusting behaviour but the demons have come back 7 times that is why you’ll be insulting anyone who’s making a solid contribution and does not align with your Sarah queen mentality.
CS your moderator should be looking out on this clown.
Hahahaha… modern-day slave….LMAoooo.
Hunger has destroyed his life so badly that he cannot even make sense again…..LMAOoo.
Please re-write the crap you posted here in your mother tongue so we can look for someone who understands dog language to translate it into comprehensible English.
The team sheet hardly changes with same old same old players. So no competition and everyone is feeling at home. That is not the super eagles of Nigeria of yore but the National assembly of Nigeria.
The same age long costly errors keeps repeating itself. Conceding goals and the team playing without confidence. Change personnel since with these ones we are conceding cheap and late goals.. And we will keep conceding unless we stop using Ekong who cannot play in the local league without fans calling for his head.
Give us better defenders.and a leader which the team lacks. SE is nobody’s house. Still in shock.Iwobi is starting every game shame.
The players were busy ballooning Ball into sky. I just got over it now but how on earth can nobody tell them to shoot the ball on the floor with more precision and power. Our players are immature especially Iwobi and Ndidi plus Chukwueze who can not shoot consistently.
Must we always be expecting to qualify through the back door? We had a chance to take our destiny in our own hands once more by taking that game against Zimbabwe but as expected, we blew it. As soon as the game went on, I realized we would just struggle in that match. We have overrated players who can’t win matches!
Golden Eaglets had the chance to qualify for AFCON, they allowed Ivory Coast to beat them and then started banking on expanded AFCON to secure a place.
Always not striving to have their destinies in their own hands but depending on external events to hand them qualification. Shame on this failed country where everything is dismembering.
Chelle will get the chance to build his team with the upcoming friendlies. Hopefully, he’d weed out some of these players. Honestly since we were already out anyway, I think it would have been better if we used CHAN eagles (maybe add Osimhen and Lookman). I suggested this on another platform before this just concluded round of qualifiers, and was laughed at.
FIFA’s regulations stipulate that protests regarding player eligibility must be submitted within 24 hours after the match concludes. In the case of the recent match between South Africa and Lesotho, reports indicate that the Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) lodged their formal complaint four days after the game, which exceeds this 24-hour window.
Complete Sports
+1
France 24
+1
ESPN.com
Given this delay, FIFA may not consider Lesotho’s protest due to its late submission. However, it’s important to note that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has the authority to act ex officio, meaning they can initiate an investigation and impose sanctions independently, even without a formal protest.
api.spoleg.com
Historically, FIFA has sanctioned teams for fielding ineligible players, leading to match forfeitures and fines. For instance, in 2013, Ethiopia was docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier against Botswana.
ESPN.com. In summary, while Lesotho’s delayed protest may not be considered due to the missed deadline, FIFA retains the discretion to investigate and potentially sanction South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
I use to think the problem with the SE is a managerial thing but alas how utterly wrong I was. This issue started towards the latter days of Gernot Rohr’s reign and it’s simply down to the lackadaisical and indifferent attittude of majority of the players (safe for Osimhen and one or two other ones) who seems to have become landlords and seemingly overly comfortable that they will always get called up and start games. Kenneth Omeruo stylishly hinted on this on a twitter space I joined a couple of months ago. It has now become very obvious even to a blind man that a REFRESH BUTTON need be pressed in that team to change this tide of unpleasant and disgraceful results. But having said that another thing that now jumps at me and really scares me is the seeming absence of young quality players who can literally displace these bunch of underwhelming bunch from the SE. There has been no talent churned out via our U-15, U-17 and U-20 in the last 7/8 years thereabout, dem don kill the age-grade teams with corruption and nepotism.
V09 was apparently mad after the game, and ofcuz he’s got every right to be mad, he leaves e’tin on the pitch and other players owe themselves and the country atleast something close to that or that same level of energy.
I can bet on anything that unless we press that ‘refresh button’, these regular high blood pressure-performance is what we would continue to get if we like hire Ancelloti. Mind you, it may take time before the results manifest but I very much believe it is the right way to go.
It will take a coach with balls to do this obviously and given the crazy and corrupt lots we have running our football
Great comments. Thank you my man.
Plus, Lesotho has withdrawn the protest. Anything is possible, especially in Africa. Head of CAF is South African, so it’s as good as saying they won’t be sanctioned.