Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
FIFA has sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, handing a major boost to Nigeria’s qualification dreams.
The world football governing body confirmed that Bafana Bafana’s midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, was fielded despite being suspended due to a yellow-card accumulation. As a result, South Africa’s 2–1 victory over Lesotho has been overturned, and the match awarded 3–0 in favor of Lesotho.
FIFA’s disciplinary ruling comes with heavy consequences: South Africa forfeits the three points, the South African Football Association (SAFA) faces a fine of CHF 10,000, and Mokoena himself has been issued an official warning.
The updated CAF Group C standings now place South Africa and Benin level on 14 points each, followed closely by Nigeria and Rwanda on 11 points, while Lesotho climbs to 9 points, leaving Zimbabwe at the bottom with 4.
Updated CAF Group C Standings
South Africa – 14
Benin – 14
Nigeria – 11
Rwanda – 11
Lesotho – 9
Zimbabwe – 4
For Nigeria, the decision has rekindled hopes of booking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With only a narrow gap between the Super Eagles and the top two spots, the team’s path to qualification is once again alive.
