FIFA Sanctions South Africa
FIFA Sanctions South Africa
By Chris ABIAZIEM
The world soccer governing body, FIFA, has imposed sanctions on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in one of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The player at the centre of the controversy is Teboho Mokoena, who had earlier received two yellow cards in previous matches and, according to FIFA rules, should have served a one-match ban.
By fielding Teboho against Lesotho, the South Africa FA violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Consequently, South Africa was stripped of three points and a 3-0 victory was awarded to Lesotho.
The South African soccer governing body was also fined 10,000 Swiss Francs or 12,500 US Dollars, while Mokoena received a warning.
With two rounds of matches remaining, Benin now tops Group C, while South Africa is ranked second.
Both teams have the same points, but Benin leads on goal difference.
Nigeria and Rwanda have the same points, while Lesotho is ranked fifth.
Nigeria last qualified for the World Cup in 2018.
Benin and Rwanda are yet to qualify for the World Cup, while South Africa hosted the 2010 edition.
Recall that FIFA had previously indicted Nigeria in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup for fielding an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, against Algeria.
