South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign has been thrown into turmoil after FIFA sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player in their qualifier against Lesotho. The decision has breathed fresh life into Nigeria’s own qualification hopes.
The Sanction
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in the March 21, 2025 clash against Lesotho due to an automatic suspension from accumulated yellow cards. Despite South Africa winning the match 2–0 on the pitch, FIFA has awarded the tie as a 3–0 victory to Lesotho.
Alongside the forfeit
- SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000.
- Mokoena has been issued a warning.
This punishment stems from breaches of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.
Impact on Group C
Before FIFA’s ruling, Bafana Bafana topped Group C, looking well placed to qualify. The forfeiture, however, strips them of three crucial points and dents their goal difference. That opens the door for their rivals Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda to close the gap.
Nigeria, who had been struggling after mixed results earlier in the qualifiers, could benefit the most. With South Africa losing ground, the Super Eagles have a clearer path to leapfrog them if they win their remaining fixtures.
Nigeria’s Path Forward
Nigeria still faces must-win games, including a crunch tie against Benin, who currently lead the group. The sanction, however, has opened the door wider for the Super Eagles to get back into contention
- If Nigeria wins their next two games, including the crucial clash against current group leaders Benin, they could move to the top of the group.
- South Africa, meanwhile, must win their next two games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to return to the top of the group while hoping for Benin to drop points in the next two games. This result will deal a blow to Nigeria’s hopes of finishing first.
For Nigerian fans, the ruling feels like an unexpected lifeline. A campaign that looked uncertain has suddenly regained hope.
The case highlights the high stakes and fine margins of World Cup qualifying in Africa. A simple administrative oversight, failing to track suspensions has not only jeopardized South Africa’s campaign but also altered the fortunes of their biggest rival.
As it stands, Group C is now delicately balanced. For South Africa, the sanction is a self-inflicted wound. For Nigeria, it is a second chance to put Qatar 2022’s disappointment behind them and return to the global stage.
