A great news has hit Nigeria as FIFA has sanctioned South Africa following their offense of fielding an eligible player in the game against Lesotho. As it stands South Africa hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup have now suffered a major blow.
The player who was featured was Teboho Mokoena and the game was their game against Lesotho. It was said that the payer was to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards but they still played him. A Fifa disciplinary committee has ruled that South Africa breached competition rules, and has imposed a 3-0 forfeit.
The country’s football association (Safa) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,500, £9,340), while Mokoena has been issued with a warning. As it stands now, the decision has blown Group C of African World Cup qualifying wide open. South Africa dropping from top of the table to second place, behind Benin on goal difference.
Only the group winners are assured of reaching next year’s tournament in north and central America. It has however given the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Rwanda of reaching the finals. They both of them are now three points below Benin and South Africa.
Benin will travel to Rwanda and Nigeria in the final two round of qualifiers between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa face an away game against Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. South Africa now have 10 days to appeal Fifa’s decision.
