The South African Football Association (SAFA) are set to appeal FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana over the situation involving Teboho Mokoena.
The 28-year-old midfielder was meant to serve a one-match suspension in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, which Bafana won 2-0. Mokoena played in that match, which forced FIFA to investigate the protest that was made.
On Monday, the world football governing body released a statement on the situation involving the ineligibility of Mokoena and Bafana were sanctioned.
In terms of the decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match to have been forfeited by Bafana Bafana by the score of 3-0 and Safa was ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000, while Mokoena was issued with a warning.
“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 said in a statement.
Bafana lose points, Safa cries foul
In the statement, the association did not mention whether action will be taken against those who are responsible for keeping track of bookings and suspensions.
“The players and the technical team have worked extremely hard to reach this stage, and we remain focused on ensuring they 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,” Safa added.
According to experts, Safa are likely to lose the appeal, but Bafana are still on track to qualify and just need to win their last matches convincingly.
Bafana Bafana will next face Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October 2025, followed by a clash against Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium on 14 October 2025. Both matches will kick off at 18h00.
