Lesotho have vowed to challenge South Africa at FIFA if midfielder Teboho Mokoena is involved in Group C match day 7 World Cup qualifiers clash.
Secretary General Mokhosi Mohap of the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA) said on Wednesday that they will not hesitate to lodge an official protest should the Bafana Bafana star be included in Hugo Broos’ match day squad.
“We want to make it very clear,” Mohap warned. “If South Africa lists Teboho Mokoena in their squad, we will not hesitate to lodge an official protest. The rules must be applied fairly, and we will protect the integrity of this qualification process.”
He added: “The game he missed against Benin was because he was dropped from the team, not because of suspension. So, the moment we saw his name on the team sheet, we will lodge a protest to FIFA.”
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The controversy stems from South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, when Mokoena played despite being suspended after collecting two cautions in earlier matches.
Lesotho Vs South Africa first leg clash. Photo Credit: SAFA/X
The South African Football Association admitted the error but argued that since Lesotho did not lodge a formal protest, the result should stand.
Coach Hugo Broos conceded the blunder but downplayed the consequences. “We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint,” he said.
Lesotho Vs South Africa first leg clash. Photo Credit: SAFA/X
FIFA’s disciplinary code, however, allows the governing body to act on its own without a protest, and it has previously stripped teams of points for similar offences.
The uncertainty now threatens to overshadow South Africa’s campaign at a pivotal stage, with their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
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South Africa lead the standings with 13 points, five ahead of Rwanda and Benin, and six clear of Nigeria, whom they host in a crunch game in Bloemfontein next Tuesday. Lesotho have six points, while Zimbabwe sit bottom on four.
