World Cup (Q): Lesotho FA reacts to FIFA’s sanctions on South Africa (Exclusive)

The Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) has reacted to FIFA’s decision to dock three points from South Africa in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

LeFA General Secretary (GS), Mokhosi Mohapi, spoke exclusively to Pan-Africa Football when contacted for his reaction to the world football governing body’s decision to deduct the points from Bafana Bafana and award Likuena with a forfeit victory.

FIFA further fined the South African Football Association over the fielding of midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a World Cup qualifying match between Hugo Broos’ side and Lesotho, which initially ended 2-0 in favour of Bafana Bafana.

Mokoena had received two yellow cards over the course of the qualifying campaign leading up to the match on March 21, which meant that the Mamelodi Sundowns player should have been suspended and unavailable according to FIFA regulations.

Mohapi confirmed in March that they had written to FIFA over South Africa’s fielding of the ineligible Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder in the World Cup game.

The LeFA GS had also admitted that his association had alerted FIFA over the issue even though the window for doing so had then elapsed.

Now, in the latest exclusive interview with Pan-Africa Football, Mohapi put matters in context as to why they brought the issue to FIFA’s attention.

He said their aim was not to lodge a complaint but simply to remind the world football authority to stick to its rules and regulations on the status of players who are eligible to feature in such games. Asked if he feels vindicated by FIFA’s decision, Mohapi simply said “yes, in a way vindicated.”

He added: “However, many people did not understand that it was never about a protest but always about reminding FIFA to do right on their regulatory framework, and we have achieved that.”

“We are minnows of African football, and we don’t need to be reminded about that. However, it just manifests that as much as we are minnows, we are doing right in other areas and we should not be undermined. We have played our organizational role in ensuring that regulations are respected irrespective of other team’s social and economic powers.”

South Africa have since dropped from top to second position in Group C, swapping with Benin who now lead by virtue of a superior goal difference. FIFA also fined the South African Football Association for the fielding of the Sundowns star during the World Cup qualifier. FIFA has since handed Lesotho a 3-0 forfeit victory from the clash.

SAFA has since indicated that it will appeal FIFA’s sanctions.

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