There has been widespread confusion and misinformation surrounding Teboho Mokoena’s suspension, particularly regarding his eligibility to play in the match against Lesotho. To set the record straight, here are the facts:
Mokoena accumulated two yellow cards in separate matches against Benin and Zimbabwe. Normally, according to FIFA rules, a player who accumulates two yellow cards in separate matches is automatically suspended for the next match.
However, Mokoena was eligible to play against Lesotho due to FIFA’s “clean slate” rule, which wipes clean yellow cards accumulated during the qualifiers ahead of the final round of matches.
The issue at hand is not about Mokoena’s eligibility due to the clean slate rule, but rather about him playing while serving a suspension for a red card received in a previous match against Zambia, not the two yellow cards.
The Lesotho Football Association has formally queried FIFA regarding Mokoena’s participation in the match, as he should have been serving his suspension. If FIFA upholds this claim, South Africa may face consequences, including a possible points deduction.
Current Standings in Group C:
Here is the current standing in Group C:
South Africa leads the group with 13 points, followed closely by Rwanda and Benin with 8 points each. Nigeria has 7 points, Lesotho has 6 points, and Zimbabwe has 4 points.
Recent Results:
Bafana Bafana strengthened their grip on Group C with a composed 2-0 away win in Benin. Nigeria’s hopes were dented by a late equaliser from Zimbabwe, while Rwanda and Lesotho cancelled each other out.
Next Fixtures (Matchday 7):
The next fixtures for Matchday 7 are:
Benin vs Zimbabwe
Lesotho vs South Africa (reverse fixture of their previous match)
Malawi vs Nigeria
Note: The Lesotho vs South Africa match in Matchday 7 is the reverse fixture of their previous match, where South Africa initially played against Lesotho.
In summary, Mokoena’s suspension controversy stems from him playing while serving a red card suspension, not due to the accumulation of yellow cards. FIFA’s “clean slate” rule did indeed clear his yellow card slate, but it did not affect his red card suspension. The consequences of South Africa’s actions will be closely monitored, and the outcome will have significant implications for their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
As the situation unfolds, South African coach, Hugo Broos, will be under pressure to make the right decision regarding Mokoena’s participation in the next match. “We are aware of the situation, and we will wait for FIFA’s decision,” Broos said in a statement.
The Lesotho Football Association’s query to FIFA has sparked a heated debate among football fans and pundits. While some argue that South Africa should face severe consequences for fielding an ineligible player, others believe that the punishment should be lenient.
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Mokoena’s suspension controversy has brought the issue of player eligibility and fair play to the forefront of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. As the tournament progresses, teams will be under increasing scrutiny to ensure that they comply with FIFA’s rules and regulations.