The secretary of Lesotho Football Association (LeFA) Mokhosi Mohapi says the late decision by world football governing body FIFA to deduct three points from South Africa hampered their chances of making it to the world cup.
South Africa fielded an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, when he was supposed to be suspended after picking up two bookings in previous games.
FIFA waited until last week before formally deciding to apply sanction on South Africa by handing all three points to Lesotho on a 3-0 win. Mohapi said he feels fulfilled but lamented the lateness of the decision.
He felt the sanction should have come sooner to give them a better chance of pushing for a top-two finish. “FIFA has done well to respect its own regulations. We had always maintained that our pursuit of this case had nothing to do with South Africa,” Mohapi told the Sowetan.
“Lesotho is a bona fide member of FIFA and we played the rightful role to ensure the football rules are respected. We are happy to have been vindicated.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
