Polokwane, South Africa – A costly administrative oversight has thrown South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign into turmoil. FIFA has ruled that Bafana Bafana must forfeit their 2-0 victory over Lesotho after fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena, handing their opponents a 3-0 win instead.

The mistake stems from Mokoena’s failure to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in previous qualifiers against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe. Despite Lesotho reportedly withdrawing their protest, FIFA’s regulations left no room for leniency, enforcing an automatic punishment.

Football lawyer Jonas Michael pointed to Nigeria’s similar fate in 2018, when Shehu Abdullahi’s ineligibility cost the Super Eagles three points and three goals in a dead rubber against Algeria. “The rules are clear—no protest is needed,” Michael stated. “South Africa has lost those points. A fine will likely follow.”

The ruling has sent shockwaves through the qualifying group. South Africa remains at the top, but with just a four-point cushion over last-placed Zimbabwe and four matches left, their World Cup dream is now in jeopardy.