Group C leaders in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, South Africa, could lose three crucial points after fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over Lesotho last Friday.

The player in question, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, had accumulated two yellow cards before the match and should have been suspended. Mokoena was first booked in the 54th minute of South Africa’s 2-1 home win over the Benin Republic in November 2023. His second yellow card came in the 52nd minute of their 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe in June 2024. Despite this, he started against Lesotho and played 82 minutes before being substituted for Thalente Mbatha.

According to FIFA’s World Cup qualifying rules, a player is ineligible to play after receiving two yellow cards in different matches. “If players or team officials receive two cautions in one match (in matches decided by penalties) or in two different matches of the competition, they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match,” FIFA states in its rule book.

However, any protest from Nigeria or Lesotho, who are four points behind South Africa in the group, could be dismissed if not submitted within the required timeframe. FIFA regulations stipulate that protests regarding player eligibility must be lodged in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match and followed up with a full written report to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee within 24 hours.

If the protest is upheld, Lesotho, currently fifth in the group with five points, would be awarded three points, moving them to eight. This could also boost Nigeria’s chances of overtaking South Africa, depending on Tuesday’s match results.

South Africa, who face the Benin Republic in Abidjan, currently lead the group with 10 points. The Benin Republic are second with eight points, followed by Rwanda with seven, while Nigeria sit fourth with six points after five matches.