South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, finds itself embroiled in a controversy that could significantly impact their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is currently at the top of Group C in the qualifiers, holding 10 points after five games. However, a potential breach of FIFA regulations threatens to disrupt their campaign.

The issue revolves around midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the match against Lesotho despite allegedly being suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Mokoena received his first yellow card in the match against Benin Republic and a second against Zimbabwe. According to FIFA rules, a player receiving two yellow cards in separate matches is automatically suspended for the next game.

News of the potential infraction has sent ripples through the other teams in Group C, most notably Nigeria, who currently sit in fourth place with six points. Nigeria's Super Eagles see Bafana Bafana as a major challenger and will be boosted by their downfall. The Nigeria Football Federation is reportedly pushing FIFA to investigate the matter and impose a points deduction on South Africa if found guilty. If successful, this could significantly alter the group standings and improve Nigeria's qualification prospects.

Lesotho, who lost 2-0 to South Africa in the contested match, are also exploring avenues to appeal to FIFA. The Lesotho Football Association held an emergency meeting to discuss the possibility of filing a protest, seeking to be awarded three points for the match.

In response to the allegations, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has taken swift action. They have reportedly instructed their technical team not to include Mokoena in the subsequent World Cup qualifier against Benin. Reports also suggest that team manager Vincent Tseka may face consequences for failing to properly manage player suspensions and bookings.

While some reports initially suggested a possible point deduction for South Africa, later information indicates that a fine might be a more likely outcome. Nevertheless, the situation has created uncertainty and pressure for the team as they continue their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Despite the controversy, South Africa's coach, Hugo Broos, remains optimistic. He believes that Nigeria's determination to win their remaining matches could indirectly benefit South Africa by taking points off other competitors in the group.

The unfolding situation highlights the importance of strict adherence to FIFA regulations and the potential consequences of administrative oversights in high-stakes qualifying matches. As FIFA investigates the matter, the footballing world watches with bated breath, waiting to see how this controversy will ultimately reshape the landscape of Group C in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.