Lesotho head coach Leslie Notsi has expressed his views on Teboho Mokoena's yellow card saga, which emerged after South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last week.
Before Bafana's important victory against Benin on Tuesday, an unfortunate situation arose with reports suggesting that Hugo Broos' team might lose points due to the yellow cards received by Mokoena in the qualifying campaign.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had received two yellow cards during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe, which made him ineligible to participate in the match against Lesotho.
READ | Zimbabwe dent Nigeria's World Cup push
Consequently, the Lesotho Football Association (LFA) has reportedly lodged an official complaint with the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) after discovering that Mokoena was not eligible to play against them.
Lesotho coach Notsi was asked about the matter after Likuena's draw against Rwanda on Tuesday, and the tactician was noncommittal, maintaining that he merely concentrates on coaching the team.
''On this matter I can't say much, my focus was on today's match (against Rwanda),'' Notsi told the media.
"I think that one is up to the authorities and those in charge and I heard they will file complaints, but I don't know anything, I do not know if they have done it yet.''
Nonetheless, LFA secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi confirmed that the South African neighbours have indeed filed a complaint with FIFA as they seek the three points.
''The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points. We were made aware of Mokoena's bookings, and we have since sent a formal inquiry to CAF and Fifa," Mohapi told the Sowetan.
''We have heard that Nigeria also wants to protest, and they too are entitled to that because the result (last Friday) prejudices everyone. Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points; Bafana would have done the same.
''Unfortunately, the law is the law, and Safa should have known about the bookings. We have no hard feelings. We want those points.''
READ | Official: African team submit protest to FIFA after WCQ defeat
Amidst this situation, Bafana still dominate the Group C table with 13 points, leading Benin and Rwanda by five points. Meanwhile, Nigeria has only secured seven points.
Additionally, Lesotho are fifth with only six points, just two above bottom-placed Zimbabwe, with all teams having played six matches thus far. It remains to be seen whether FIFA will dock points from Bafana and give them to Lesotho.