Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national soccer team, is currently celebrating a triumphant 2-0 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on March 21, 2025. However, this excitement could soon be overshadowed by a potential penalty stemming from a concerning incident involving one of their players.
Teboho Mokoena, who played a pivotal role in the match, was fielded despite being under suspension for receiving two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup. The implications of this error could lead to Bafana Bafana losing points in their ongoing campaign, which is crucial as they aim to secure a spot for the World Cup in 2026.
According to FIFA World Cup qualifying regulations, a player who accumulates two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a suspension for the following match in the same qualifying campaign. Mokoena was booked in the opening qualifier against Benin and again during the match against Zimbabwe. This oversight poses a significant risk to the team's standing, as they sit atop Group C after their latest win.
Interestingly, Lesotho did not report the error regarding Mokoena's eligibility in time to the officials, which may work in Bafana Bafana's favor. Nevertheless, the outcome is uncertain as they may still face a points deduction, jeopardizing their chances of continuing their successful qualification campaign.
Despite the looming penalty, the match against Lesotho marked a noteworthy return for forward Percy Tau, who had previously faced challenges during his time with Al Ahly. Now playing for Qatar SC, Tau has shown promising signs of regaining his form on the international stage.
Former Bafana midfielder Brent Carelse expressed his support for Tau, stating, "I think he did very well. If you looked at how he played, he led from the front... I was happy with him," in a recent interview with Soccer Laduma. Carelse also emphasized the necessity of keeping Tau in the national team, remarking, "Yes, he should continue calling him. You need a player like him in the national team. He has the experience and has played in many tough games for both club and country, and the young players are learning a lot from him. We still need him in the national team." This perspective is crucial as Bafana Bafana prepares for their upcoming match against Benin.
As they get ready to take the field against Benin on April 25, 2025, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the team will aim to solidify their top position in the group. The match was relocated to a neutral venue because Benin lacks a CAF-approved stadium, adding another layer of complexity to the encounter.
Bafana Bafana’s recent victory also celebrated appearances from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, both of whom scored their first international goals in the match against Lesotho, showcasing the team's depth and potential.
As they look ahead, the importance of the upcoming match against Benin cannot be understated. With the current dynamics of the team, including the impact of players like Tau, the strategic considerations on fielding an eligible squad will be front and center in Coach Hugo Broos' plans as they strive for World Cup qualification.
Bafana Bafana is now faced with a delicate balance of celebrating their talent and resolving the administrative pitfalls that could hinder their journey toward the 2026 World Cup. The stakes are high as they navigate this critical phase of qualification, and all eyes will be on their response to the challenges ahead.
