Lesotho FA reveals when Teboho Mokoena protest was lodged
The Lesotho Football Association [LEFA] has revealed when it sent a query to CAF and FIFA over the yellow cards accumulated by Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ahead of Tuesday’s clash between South Africa and Benin, reports emerged that Mokoena was not eligible to play in Friday’s Group C clash against Lesotho, which Bafana Bafana won 2-0.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had collected two yellow cards earlier – one during the initial qualifier against Benin and another in the fourth qualifier against Zimbabwe. Consequently, he was ineligible to participate in the match against Lesotho last Friday.
Mokhosi Mohapi, the secretary-general of LEFA, has now stated that they have lodged a complaint with CAF and FIFA regarding South Africa. Mohapi believes they are fully entitled to protest and get the points.
He also said that he had heard Nigeria was going to lodge a protest “because the result prejudices everyone.”
WHEN DID LESOTHO LODGE PROTEST AGAINST BAFANA BAFANA?
In an interview with FARPost, Mohapi acknowledged that the protest was made outside the stipulated 24 hours. According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, “protests must reach the Disciplinary Committee in writing, indicating the relevant grounds, within 24 hours of the end of the match in question.”
It further states that the 24-hour time limit cannot be extended to ensure the smooth running of the competition.
“The complaint was lodged after the [stipulated] 24 hours,” Mohapi told FARPost. “We didn’t have that information, so we lodged the complaint yesterday [Tuesday]. However, we have asked FIFA to protect the regulation,” said LFA secretary general Mohapi.
He is confident their protest is valid despite missing the stipulated 24-hour period. He added that they were now awaiting a response from FIFA.
Bafana currently leads Group C with 13 points following Tuesday’s victory. Hugo Broos’ troops are five points ahead of joint second-placed teams Benin and Rwanda, six points clear of Nigeria, and seven points ahead of Lesotho.
However, Bafana could lose three points if they are found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, which could be awarded to Lesotho.
RELATED STORY: Nigeria coach comments on Teboho Mokoena saga