JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (BN24) — Tensions are escalating in Group C of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Lesotho has issued a stern warning to South Africa ahead of their upcoming clash on Friday, September 5. The dispute centers around the continued involvement of midfielder Teboho Mokoena, whose eligibility has become a point of serious contention.
The Lesotho Football Association (LFA), through its Secretary-General Mokhosi Mohapi, has publicly stated that it will protest if Mokoena is fielded by Bafana Bafana during the match scheduled at the Free State Stadium. Mokoena, who plays domestically for Mamelodi Sundowns, was controversially included in South Africa’s lineup during their 2-0 win over Lesotho earlier this year—despite reportedly accumulating two yellow cards that should have ruled him out of that fixture.
According to FIFA regulations, a player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches is automatically suspended for the following game. South Africa could have faced a three-point deduction had Lesotho lodged a formal protest within the required 24-hour window after the match in question. However, no official action was taken at the time.
Mohapi maintains that the issue is not closed. Speaking to Soccer Beat, he made it clear that Lesotho is prepared to act if the player appears again, hinting at an in-match protest that would take place shortly after kickoff.
“If South Africa dare play Teboho Mokoena, we will lodge a protest and will tell you why,” Mohapi said. “We will lodge a protest which goes back to the other match, because he has never served the suspension that he was meant to have served. Against Bafana, we are going to wait three minutes into the match and then protest.”
This brewing controversy casts a long shadow over what is already a high-stakes encounter in the African World Cup qualifying campaign. Both Lesotho and South Africa are locked in a fierce battle for top positions in Group C, with qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada hanging in the balance.
The possibility of disciplinary action or a points deduction could dramatically alter the standings, making this fixture—and the protest threat—a pivotal moment in the group. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on the team sheets and on-field developments in Bloemfontein, where football and regulatory scrutiny are set to collide.
