South Africa’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has taken a serious hit after the team was stripped off three points for using an ineligible player.
The national side fielded Teboho Mokoena in a match against Lesotho in March, even though the midfielder was supposed to serve a one match suspension for yellow cards picked up in two earlier qualifiers.
The blunder is especially embarrassing for South Africa since its top football official, Patrice Motsepe, also serves as a FIFA vice president.
Alongside the points deduction, the country’s football federation has been fined $12,536, while Mokoena himself received a warning.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee also overturned South Africa’s win over Lesotho, which now places Benin at the top of Group C on goal difference.
The ruling has given Nigeria fresh hope, moving them back within three points of the top two ahead of the final two rounds of qualifiers next month.
