-
Deducts Three Points, Three Goals
- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Super Eagles World Cup qualification hope has been revived as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) finally sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in one of its qualification matches.
After months of delay, FIFA, in a statement issued on Monday, sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during South Africa’s match against Lesotho on the 21st of March 2025.
Recall that Lesotho had filed a report to FIFA after the match, noting that Mokoena had accumulated yellow cards which made him ineligible for the match.
The world football governing body’s silence over the case had since raised concern and sparked controversies while also leaving countries in the Group C qualification uncertain.
FIFA in its verdict confirmed that South Africa’s fielding of Mokoena breached the article 19 of its Disciplinary Code and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.
It thereafter declared the match forfeited which implies deduction of three points and three goals from South Africa.
FIFA also ordered SAFA to pay a fine of CHF 10,000.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.
“Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.
“SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.” The statement partly read.
FIFA however notified SAFA of opportunity to file an appeal over the sanction within the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, the South Africa’s three points deduction implies that the Super Eagles now stand a chance to book a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Recall that the Bafana Bafana had earlier this month sank Nigeria’s dream of qualification with a frustrating 1-1 draw.
The stalemate had seen Nigeria sit third on the Group table with 11 points.
While Benin Republic secured the 2nd spot with 14 points, South Africa sat on top of the table with 17 points.
The three points deduction had however seen South Africa drop to 14 points.
This currently secures Nigeria’s chance of qualifying, providing they win the last the two games against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
