Lesotho Didn’t Report South Africa To FIFA For Cheating – LFA Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the Lesotho Football Association (LFA), Mokhosi Mohapi, has revealed that the association failed to formally submit a protest against South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier last Friday. However, Mohapi insists that FIFA must still ensure fairness by enforcing its own rules, regardless of the oversight.
South Africa at Risk of Points Deduction
Bafana Bafana currently lead Africa’s World Cup qualifying Group C with five points, but their position could be in jeopardy after they fielded suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho. The match, which saw goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, may now be overshadowed by a potential three-point deduction if FIFA rules against South Africa.
Mokoena, who picked up two yellow cards in previous qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe, was supposed to be suspended for the Lesotho clash. However, the error went unnoticed until after the game, raising questions about compliance with FIFA regulations.
Protest Not Filed Within FIFA’s Deadline – Will It Still Stand?
Under FIFA’s rules, protests over ineligible players must be submitted within two hours of the match for on-field incidents and within 24 hours for off-field violations. Mohapi admitted that Lesotho missed this window but argued that FIFA should act independently to uphold fairness.
“FIFA should do what is right for the good of the game,” Mohapi stated. “But historically, if you consider the requirements for lodging a protest, this case may be challenging since we didn’t submit it as per the statute.”
He further emphasized that FIFA’s Article 8.3 mandates an automatic suspension for players with two yellow cards, meaning the governing body should enforce the rule without waiting for a formal protest.
Could Nigeria Get Involved? Super Eagles’ Stake in the Matter
With Nigeria’s Super Eagles currently fourth in Group C (seven points from six games), trailing South Africa by six points, there have been speculations that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) might back Lesotho’s case. However, Mohapi clarified that Lesotho’s focus is on fairness, not influencing other teams’ qualification chances.
“Whether we are awarded the three points is secondary,” he said. “We have communicated with FIFA and SAFA (South African FA), and relations remain positive. Our priority is ensuring fair competition on the field, not interfering with other nations’ World Cup dreams.”
What Happens Next?
FIFA now faces a critical decision:
- Enforce the rules strictly – Deduct points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, even without an official protest.
- Dismiss the case – Cite Lesotho’s failure to file a timely protest, allowing Bafana Bafana to keep their points.
If South Africa loses points, the group standings could shift dramatically, opening the door for Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda to gain ground in the race for World Cup qualification.
