South Africa in trouble - Sunday Oliseh says Bafana Bafana risk FIFA sanctions for fielding ineligible player

Former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh, has warned that South Africa could face serious sanctions from FIFA after allegedly fielding an ineligible player in a 2026 World Cup qualifier earlier this year.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured for Bafana Bafana against Lesotho in March, despite having picked up two yellow cards in previous qualifiers, a situation that should have ruled him out through suspension.

Lesotho have already lodged an official protest with FIFA, although a verdict from the governing body is still pending.

Oliseh, who is a member of International Football Association Board (IFAB), believes the consequences could be severe if the protest is upheld.

“To the best of my knowledge South Africa is in trouble,” Oliseh said.

“If a team fields an ineligible player and a valid protest is upheld, standard penalties include the forfeiture of the match. The result is typically overturned to a 3-0 defeat for the offending team, regardless of the actual score, resulting in the loss of three points for South Africa in this case and an award of three points to Lesotho,” he added.

The potential sanction could have a major impact in South Africa’s qualification campaign, with Bafana Bafana currently leading Group C, while Nigeria and Benin remain in pursuit of a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.