South Africa will face disciplinary proceedings for fielding a suspended player in a World Cup qualifier in March, which will likely see them docked points and put their hopes of advancing to next year’s finals in jeopardy.

World football’s governing body FIFA this week informed the South African Football Association that it was opening proceedings due to the fielding of midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho, officials have confirmed.

Mokoena should not have played because he had already collected two cautions in the qualifiers and had to sit out the game with an automatic one-match suspension.

South Africa admitted they had made an error, but FIFA’s delay in opening disciplinary proceedings led to months of speculation in the country that they had gotten away with it, including from coach Hugo Broos.

There was also criticism of FIFA’s slowness in resolving the issue from other countries battling for top place in South Africa’s group.

FIFA’s disciplinary code says: “If a team fields a player who is not eligible to participate (due to suspension, registration issues, nationality, etc.), the match is automatically forfeited.

The default result is a 3-0 loss, unless the actual result was even more disadvantageous to the offending team.”

A three-point deduction would leave South Africa level with Benin on 14 points at the top of Group C with two qualifiers each left, with Nigeria and Rwanda only three points back.

Only the group winners automatically advance to the finals in North America that start next June. The last two rounds of matches are played next month with South Africa away to Zimbabwe and home to Rwanda while Benin finish away at Rwanda and Nigeria.

It will not be the first time a country has been docked points for fielding an ineligible player in African World Cup qualification.

In the 2018 qualifiers, FIFA awarded Algeria a 3–0 win as a result of Nigeria fielding the ineligible Shehu Abdullahi, after their match ended in a 1–1 draw.

Abdullahi failed to serve a one-game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the qualifying competition, but Nigeria still finished top of the group and qualified for the finals in Russia.

Ahead of the 2014 finals in Brazil, the Cape Verde Islands lost out on a playoff spot after using Fernando Varela in their shock group win against Tunisia. He was still suspended, so Tunisia went through to the playoffs instead of the islanders.

-Reuters

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been handed a potential lifeline in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign after world football governing body, FIFA, officially charged South Africa for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their Group C clash with Lesotho in March.

In a letter dated 15 September 2025, FIFA confirmed to the South African Football Association (SAFA) that both the federation and Mokoena face charges of breaching disciplinary regulations. The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with SAFA given six days to respond.

The development follows weeks of media outcry after FIFA initially overlooked the incident, despite similar cases in Africa — including Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Cape Verde— being met with forfeitures, points deductions, and fines.

Super Eagles Back in the Frame

If South Africa are found guilty, the Group C table will be reshaped in Nigeria’s favour:

• Benin Republic would move level with South Africa on 14 points, though Bafana Bafana would hold only a slender goal difference edge (+5 to +4).
• Nigeria, currently trailing, would be within touching distance of the leading pair, reviving hopes of catching up in the final rounds.
• Lesotho would benefit with three extra points, but remain outside the qualification race.

South African outlet Goal.com described the situation as “an anxious moment for South African fans, but one filled with hope for Nigeria and Benin in their quest to qualify.”

Qualification Race Wide Open

With the possibility of South Africa losing points, Nigeria could find their pathway to the 2026 World Cup more attainable. Analysts suggest that the disciplinary outcome could inject fresh motivation into the Super Eagles’ camp as they prepare for their remaining qualifiers.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s ruling, expected soon, could therefore prove pivotal not just for South Africa, but for Nigeria’s dream of returning to the global stage in 2026.

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The Super Eagles may not return to the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein for their World Cup qualifying matchday 9 meeting with Lesotho on October 6.

The match will be played in South Africa, the ‘adopted home ground’ for Lesotho. Concerns were raised about the conditions of the stadium’s pitch in the preceding match days 7 and 8 that pitted Lesotho with South Africa and South Africa versus Nigeria.

According to South African news outlet, Soccer Lladuma, Lesotho are negotiating the venue for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, scheduled for October 6.

The publication quoted Lesotho FA’s Secretary General Mokhosi Phillip Mohapi, as saying that Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth is the frontrunner to host the fixture, but Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein is also under consideration.

“The negotiations are just at the beginning. People bid to host games, and then it’s what they can offer. We will compare the two deals, then the one which is better…” Mohapi told Soccer Laduma.

The decision will be crucial for both teams as Nigeria pushes to secure maximum points away from home in a tightly contested group.

Lesotho’s preparations for the Super Eagles tie come amid uncertainty over FIFA’s yet-to-be-announced ruling on South Africa’s use of an ineligible player.

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