BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The clock is ticking fast to the six-day ultimatum that FIFA gave to the South African Football Association (SAFA) to respond to the country’s fielding of an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho in March.

SAFA has till this Saturday to file their defense.

South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign could face a major twist if FIFA upholds a complaint that may see Bafana Bafana docked three points for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.

Hugo Broos’ side currently sit three points clear at the top of Group C after eight rounds of matches, holding a strong advantage over their rivals. Third-placed Nigeria trail by six points, while Benin are second and pushing hard to keep qualification hopes alive.

A potential three-point deduction would drastically alter the group standings, bringing South Africa level with Benin. While Bafana hold the head-to-head edge after defeating the West Africans home and away, the ruling could pile pressure on Broos’ men heading into their final fixtures.

South Africa are scheduled to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October, matches that could now prove decisive if the disciplinary ruling narrows their margin at the top of the log.

For now, SAFA insists it is not worried about the investigation, but the looming threat of lost points means every remaining game could make or break Bafana Bafana’s journey to the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

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Current Group C Standings (after 8 games)

Projected Standings (if South Africa docked 3 points)

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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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