FIFA have decided that South Africa must forfeit their match against Lesotho in CAF Group C on FRI 21 MAR 2025. South Africa had won the match 2-0, but Teboho MOKOENA was not eligible to play that match due to yellow card accumulation.

Mokoena, a midfielder, was shown yellow cards against Benin on SAT 18 NOV 2023 and against Zimbabwe on TUE 11 JUN 2024, both at home. According to the regulations of the 2026 Men’s World Cup qualifiers, any player who receives two yellow cards is suspended for their team’s next match, meaning that Mokoena should not have played the Lesotho match.

The forfeiture changes the match result to a 3-0 win for Lesotho. As a result, Benin are now in first place in Group C, ahead of Bafana Bafana on goal difference. The Likuena remain in fifth place, but with nine points, they are now once again in contention for a place at the Men’s World Cup.

South Africa have also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs. The forfeiture and fine may be appealed.