Fans React As FIFA Deducts 3 Points From South Africa for Fielding Ineligible Player
- Nigerians are rejoicing over the news of FIFA sanctioning South Africa for fielding an ineligible player
- The Bafana Bafana featured Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena during their encounter against Lesotho
- South Africa has moved down to second place in the 2026 CAF qualification group C with 14 points
The world football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during the qualifying series.
Teboho Mokoena, who received two yellow cards against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe, featured in the match against Lesotho, where they won 2-0 on March 21.
The Mamelodi Sundowns player was substituted in the 83rd minute of the encounter, following a late discovery from coach Hugo Broos.
Source: Getty Images
Lesotho Football Association, Benin Republic Football Association, and the Nigeria Football Federation wrote separate letters drawing the attention of FIFA.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of South Africa Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the involvement of FIFA.
FIFA's verdict
The world football governing body has announced that South Africa has forfeited the match against Lesotho by a three-goal scoreline.
In a statement released via the official website, South Africa will pay the sum of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while the player has been issued a warning. The statement read:
"Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.
"SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.
"The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee."
With the sanction, the Cheetahs of Benin Republic top the 2026 CAF qualification group C with 14 points (goal difference), closely followed South Africa in second place with 14 points, while Nigeria are in third place with 11 points.
Fans react
@Jhay_raven01 said:
"We already messed up by not getting the 3 points against SA.
"We still have to hope they drop points in any of their final 2 games and we have to win all our games.
"It just seems impossible."
Source: Getty Images
@EnimPaul44288 wrote:
"Na here them for the see super eagles, they no go serious from the beginning. Na when e don late them go dey pray for one person to lose or make them reduce others point 🤔🤔."
@BabalegbaLoriKW added:
"It'll be a newsy news if we win all our remaining games. Hope dey."
South Africa given unfair advantage
Legit.ng earlier 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.
The announcement has intensified frustration among Nigerian fans and media, who believe the decision hands South Africa yet another advantage in an already tight qualifying group.
Source: Legit.ng
