Fifa officially probing the ‘Mokoena-gate’

IN a developing narrative that has caught the attention of football enthusiasts and pundits alike, Fifa is now formally probing the South African national football team, Bafana Bafana, in relation to Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility during a pivotal World Cup qualifying match.

- HERMAN GIBBS

This situation, dubbed ‘Mokoena-gate,’ revolves around a critical administrative blunder by Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka, that has raised concerns throughout the region and altered the landscape of African qualifying.

It's essential to note that Fifa has not received a formal protest regarding the match in which Mokoena participated, mainly because Lesotho officials were unaware of his suspension on the day of the game and missed the 48-hour post match deadline.

The yellow cards that triggered Mokoena's ban were issued during qualifiers against Benin on November 18, 2023 and Zimbabwe on June 11, 2024.

The saga unfolded after Bafana's victory over Lesotho on March 21, 2025, where Mokoena played an integral role in securing a 2-0 win.