JUST IN: Fifa sanction South Africa say dem use ineligible player during 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Fifa disciplinary committee don sanction di South African Football Association (SAFA) say dem use ineligible player for di Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifiers game.
Di football body say South African use Teboho Mokoena, for di game for South Africa vs Lesotho wey dem play for 21 March 2025 for di qualifiers.
South Africa bin dey lead Group C now wit 17 points while Nigeria dey third wit 11 points for di World Cup qualifiers table, while Benin Republic get 14 points.
E remain two games for di teams and na who top di table go qualify – except if di play-off go favour di Eagles.
But wit di Fifa sanction ontop South Africa, e mean say dem go comot some points from dem.
Wetin Fifa sama South Africa
According to Fifa, South Africa bin go against “Article 19 of di Fifa disciplinary code (FDC) and article 14 of di Fifa World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations.”
Fifa say di match wey di Bafana Bafana of South Africa bin play wit Lesotho go dey forfeited. Di match bin end for 3-0, but now, South Africa go gatz forfeit am.
“Consequently, di Fifa disciplinary committee don declare di match wey dey in kwesion to dey forfeited by di representative team of South Africa by score of 3-0.”
Part of di sanction na also fine wey Fifa sama South Africa and di strong warning dem cut give di player.
“Dem don order SAFA make dem pay fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while dem don issue warning give Teboho Mokoena.”
CHF 10,000 na around 12,537 US dollars.
Fifa say all di parties don dey notified of di terms of di disciplinary committee decision.
Dem say “in accordance wit di relevant provisions of di FDC, di parties get ten days which dem fit to request motivated decision.
Fifa stand say di forfeiture decision go remain, unless di party file any potential appeal bifor di appeal committee.
Wetin e mean for Group C
During di last game, Bafana Bafana of South and Super Eagles of Nigeria bin share points again for dia Fifa World Cup qualifiers game.
Dat particular game decide many tins for South Africa as dia joy afta di final whistle show say dia hope don increase to qualify for di 2026 World Cup wit just two games more to go.
Currently, na South Africa dey lead group C for di 2026 World Cup table wit 17 points while Benin Republic dey second wit 14 points, Nigeria dey for third position wit 11 points and Rwanda with 11 points too.
Na two games remain for di teams and na who top di table go qualify- except if di play-off go favour di Eagles.
If Fifa comot three points from South Africa, dem go get 14 points, same as Benin Republic.
Di points deduction go give open space for di group and Nigeria, Benin Republic and Rwanda go get high hope to qualify based on dia next match results.
Benin Republic go get full confidence now, as dia hope go increase fully – if di Fifa points score forfeiture work against South Africa.
Two games remain to go, and all di kontris get to fight for six points for dia next matches.
How South Africa govment react
South Africa govment don react to di points deduction wey Fifa sama Bafana Bafana.
Di Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie say im don take note of di points deduction and di fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs wey Fifa sama di South Africa Football Association [Safa] wey be around 215,000 Rand.
For statement wey di Ministry issue on 29 September, 2025, South Africa govment say dem go chook eye for dis mata wey cause embarrassment to di kontri.
“Dis development dey deeply regrettable and e don bring embarrassment to our nation and di game of football.
We acknowledge say dis situation don bring South Africa into disrepute and we must take full responsibility to address am”.
Oga Gayton McKenzie say wetin dey most important for dem now na to rally round di Bafana Bafana to prepare to dia next two matches for Durban and Mbombela wey important well-well.
“Dis deduction na gallop for di road but we beliv say we still dey on track for qualification; our beliv for di team ability to succeed no dey shake at all.
According to di Ministry, dem go get to di root of di mata to know wetin cause am.
