World Cup
And Now, South Africans Join Calls for FIFA Ruling on Mokoena Eligibility Saga
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
The controversy surrounding South Africa’s use of an ineligible player in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has taken a new twist, with even South Africans now urging FIFA to deliver a ruling.
At the heart of the dispute is midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was fielded in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane last March despite being suspended after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign.
While South Africa admitted the blunder, FIFA has yet to make a decision on possible sanctions — six months later. But the football governing body has made decisions on infractions committed in June in other continents of South America, Europe and Asia while turning the blind eye to that of Africa.
The African football confederation is being led by a South African, thus fueling suspicions. Teboho Mokoena, the offending player also features for Mamelodi Sundowns, a club owned by the CAF president.
Writing in South African newspaper, Sowetan, sports editor Nkareng Matshe argued that FIFA’s silence risks tarnishing what has otherwise been an impressive qualifying run by Bafana Bafana.
“We have already admitted to the error, and precedence dictates that we be punished and stripped of three points,” Matshe wrote.
“FIFA’s delay in making a ruling should not be treated as a cause for celebration. It only fuels conspiracy theories and unfairly smears the team.”
Matshe noted that Hugo Broos’s side, buoyed by their 2023 AFCON bronze medal finish, have matured into genuine contenders and could still qualify even if docked points.
“Bafana don’t need FIFA’s helping hand to qualify. They are strong enough to get over the line on merit,” he insisted.
But critics elsewhere in Group C — including Nigeria, Rwanda, Benin and Lesotho — argue that FIFA’s inaction has distorted the standings and created unnecessary tension. Benin’s coach Gernot Rohr told Reuters this week:
“It is not normal that we don’t know the situation about the points on the log table before our games. Normally, South Africa should lose three points. FIFA should now very quickly give the decision.”
Rohr knows the precedent well: as Nigeria coach in 2018, his team forfeited a point after fielding suspended defender Shehu Abdullahi in a qualifier against Algeria.
Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, teams that field ineligible players forfeit the match, with opponents awarded a 3-0 win unless the original result was more advantageous.
South Africa, however, have argued that since Lesotho did not lodge a protest, the points should stand.
As it is, Bafana top the group with 17 points, three clear of the second-placed Benin and six above that of Nigeria in the third position.
A points deduction would slash that margin, potentially flipping the table and leaving the qualification race wide open with two matches to play.
The uncertainty has cast a shadow over a crucial October fixtures, with South Africa set to ‘host’ eliminated Zimbabwe in what should have been an home match to the latter, thus adding to the unfair play.
The Nigerian Football Federation has echoed the growing frustration, with the communication director, Dr. Ademola Olajire being quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federation was still awaiting FIFA’s decision.
For now, the giant question mark lingers. South Africa’s dream of a first World Cup appearance since 2010 remains alive — but so too does the cloud of controversy over Mokoena’s ineligible appearance.
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By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver
Morocco’s players insist they are not satisfied with making history in Qatar 2022 and are now focused on pushing African football to even greater heights.
The Atlas Lions head into their opening World Cup match against Brazil buoyed by a series of achievements that have transformed the country’s football landscape.
In addition to the senior team’s World Cup exploits, Morocco’s Under-20 side captured the nation’s first FIFA title in 2025, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Chile.
The success has reinforced Morocco’s growing reputation as a football powerhouse, backed by significant investment in infrastructure, youth development and coaching.
Facing Brazil presents the ultimate benchmark.
While the South Americans remain favourites, Morocco have already shown they can overcome football’s aristocrats. Their victories over Spain and Portugal in Qatar changed perceptions worldwide, while the win over Brazil in Tangier provided further evidence of their growing stature.
Now, with another World Cup campaign beginning, the Atlas Lions are determined to show that Moroccan football’s rise is far from over. Their first test comes against the most decorated nation in World Cup history, but Morocco have built a reputation for thriving when the odds are stacked against them.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nearly three decades after Brazil ended Morocco’s 1998 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory in France, the Atlas Lions have a chance to settle an old score when the two nations meet again in Group C.
The teams have met only once before at a World Cup, when goals from Brazilian stars Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto secured victory in Nantes.
Morocco have never defeated South American opposition at the World Cup, having also suffered a 3-0 loss to Peru in 1970. Yet the current generation has repeatedly shattered barriers that once appeared impossible.
The Atlas Lions arrive unbeaten in their last four World Cup group-stage matches, having won two and drawn two during their memorable run in Qatar. Another positive result against Brazil would further cement their reputation as one of world football’s emerging powers.
For many Moroccan supporters, the match represents more than just a group-stage fixture. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how far the national team has progressed since its previous World Cup encounters with football’s traditional giants.
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World Cup
Morocco Ready to Test Themselves Against Brazil as Atlas Lions Chase More World Cup History
By Kunle Solaja
Morocco will launch another chapter of their remarkable World Cup journey when they face five-time champions Brazil in a heavyweight Group C clash, determined to prove that their historic run at Qatar 2022 was no one-off achievement.
The Atlas Lions arrive in North America carrying the hopes of a continent after becoming the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals four years ago. Now, they are seeking to build on that achievement against one of football’s most successful nations.
Morocco’s path to the 2026 World Cup was flawless. The North Africans won all eight of their qualifying matches, becoming the first African country to secure a place at the tournament and underlining their status as one of the continent’s leading football powers.
Despite Brazil’s rich World Cup pedigree, Morocco will draw confidence from their most recent meeting. In March 2023, the Atlas Lions defeated Brazil 2-1 in Tangier, a victory that demonstrated their ability to compete with the world’s elite teams.
The challenge, however, remains immense. Brazil have won a record five World Cup titles and boast the tournament’s records for victories and goals scored. Yet Morocco believe they possess the quality and experience to upset the South Americans once again.
Much attention will focus on the battle between Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and Brazil skipper Marquinhos, who are teammates at Paris Saint-Germain but rivals for 90 minutes in New Jersey.
The Atlas Lions also carry memories of their remarkable Qatar campaign, where they topped a group featuring Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals.
With confidence high and expectations growing, Morocco view the encounter as an opportunity to announce themselves once again as genuine contenders on football’s biggest stage.
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