A Lesotho Football Association official has issued a warning that Likuena will file a protest with FIFA if Bafana Bafana includes Teboho Mokoena in their squad.
Lesotho and South Africa are scheduled to face each other on Friday evening in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium. The issue surrounding Mokoena has been a topic of discussion since South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Likuena earlier this year.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder received two yellow cards, making him ineligible to play in the match against Lesotho; however, he still participated.
Lesotho not letting Bafana Bafana off the hook
According to FIFA regulations, if an ineligible player competes in a qualifying match, the team he represents can be penalised by losing three points, provided the opposing team submits a protest within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.
Lesotho FFA Secretary General Mokhosi Mohapi says that Likuena will protest a minute into the match if Mokoena is part of the 18-man Bafana squad on Friday.
“If South Africa dare play Teboho Mokoena, we will lodge a protest and will tell you why…We will lodge a protest which goes back to the other match, because he has never served the suspension that he was meant to have served,” he said on Soccer Beat.
“The suspension was supposed to be automatic during the match against Lesotho. Against Benin, he did not serve the suspension; he was not picked for that match.
Against Bafana, we are going to wait three minutes into the match and then protest,” Mohapi warned.
FIFA are yet to issue a statement surrounding the outcome of the Mokoena saga. Bafana Bafana and Lesotho will face each other on Friday, unsure whether the association will deduct points from South Africa.
Will Bafana lose points to Lesotho if they get docked points over Mokoena?
If FIFA finds Bafana’s quality, Hugo Broos’ men will be docked three points, which will then be awarded to Lesotho.
Should Hugo Broos pick Mokoena?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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