FIFA Suspends Congo FA President As Nigeria Awaits Decision on South Africa’s 3 Points Sanction

• FIFA has suspended the Congo FA president and general secretary over $1.3 million embezzlement allegations
• This comes as Nigeria awaits a FIFA ruling that could see South Africa docked three points in World Cup qualifiers
• Group C standings could shift dramatically if South Africa is punished, keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive

FIFA has suspended Congo Football Association (Fecofoot) president Jean Guy Blaise Mayolas and general secretary Badji Wantete over allegations of financial misconduct.

The move comes as Nigeria awaits FIFA’s final decision on whether South Africa will be penalised for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier, which could see them lose three points.

Congo FA leadership in crisis

According to Sky Sports, Mayolas and Wantete face accusations of embezzling $1.3 million in FIFA funds.

Nearly $500,000 meant for the women’s national team allegedly never reached them, with club presidents confirming that only $20,000 was received under the Covid-19 relief plan in 2021.

Reports claim that Mayolas diverted funds through shell companies since taking charge of Fecofoot in 2018.

He is also accused of mismanaging $800,000 earmarked for building a national training centre in Ignie, and eight years later, the facility remains unfinished and in ruins.

Both officials were summoned to a hearing in Brazzaville this week, but they have denied the allegations, calling them a “conspiracy.”

This is not their first clash with authorities, as Congo’s sports ministry had earlier suspended Mayolas over fraud allegations, which led FIFA to sanction the country for “third-party interference.”

That punishment cost Congo two World Cup qualifiers earlier this year before they were reinstated.

Reactions after FIFA's actions

Mayolas was first detained in May by Congo’s Central Intelligence and Documentation Office (CID).

According to BSN Sports, his latest suspension by FIFA now prevents him from any football-related activity while investigations continue.

This case highlights FIFA’s growing scrutiny over how its funds are managed by member associations as corruption and mismanagement have plagued several African FAs in recent years, and FIFA has been under pressure to enforce stricter oversight.

Nigeria keeps watch on South Africa case

While Congo deals with its internal troubles, Nigeria is closely monitoring FIFA’s disciplinary process involving South Africa.

The case centres on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played against Lesotho despite being suspended for yellow card accumulation.

FIFA has given the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the player six days to respond.

If found guilty, South Africa would lose the match by forfeit and this would cut their points from 17 to 14, putting them level with Benin but still top of Group C on goal difference.

Lesotho would gain three points, climbing to nine and intensifying the qualification battle with just two matches to go.

Nigeria, currently on 11 points alongside Rwanda, could benefit from a tighter race.

With two qualifiers left, Bafana Bafana would face heavy pressure to beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October while hoping their rivals slip.

South Africa given unfair advantage

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s hopes to secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be over after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed that their next home game against South Africa will take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

In a statement released on their official website, ZIFA disclosed that the match, originally planned to be played in Botswana, had to be moved to South Africa due to scheduling issues.

Source: Legit.ng