Bafana Bafana have important back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against both Lesotho and Nigeria.
On Friday, 5 September, Bafana Bafana take on Likuena at the Free State Stadium before hosting Nigeria on Tuesday, 9 September at the same venue.
Now, with Hugo Broos not having the luxury of select his usual best due to injuries, the one burning issue is that of Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility to play.
In March 2025, Bafana Bafana erroneously fielded Mokoena against Lesotho despite the player accumulating two yellow cards.
However, Lesotho did not lodge a protest within the stipulated 24-hour period by FIFA, instead they realised afterwards.
In fact, it was Nigeria, and later Lesotho who took the matter to FIFA way after the 24-hour period had lapsed, and since then, the football governing body has been silent.
Mind you, SAFA was cautious in their approach to the situation as they instructed Broos not to field Mokoena a few days later against Benin.
This was to avoid further sanctions, possibly if any, from FIFA which could have seen Bafana Bafana docked more points.
SHOULD BAFANA BAFANA FIELD TEBOHO MOKOENA AGAINST LESOTHO?
Now, this is a tricky question for anyone to answer at this point given that FIFA has not given any directive in the matter since the eyebrows were raised.
As things stand, Mokoena remains part of Hugo Broos’ plans for the two encounters against Lesotho and Nigeria.
And given that he already sat out against Benin, one would assume the midfielder has since served his punishment and should be eligible to play.
However, this is not an easy matter that should be taken lightly as it could cost Bafana Bafana points should FIFA later decide to make a ruling.
And that’s because Bafana Bafana could lose all the points gained from all the matches Mokoena featured in from the Lesotho game which he wasn’t supposed to face.
WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE?
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