The Super Eagles chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup have been handed a massive boost after FIFA docked three points and three goals from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a qualifier in March.
FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced it has sanctioned South Africa Football Association (SAFA) for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho when he ought not to play as he had bagged two previous bookings in the same qualifying series.
It said this breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.
Thus South Africa forfeited the match 3-0 to Lesotho, fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena has been issued a warning.
The docked points and goals against Bafana Bafana now means that Benin are the new group leaders with two rounds of matches to the end of the qualifying series.
Benin have 14 points and +4 goals difference, while South Africa are second also on 14 points but with a +3 goals difference.
Nigeria remain third on 11 points from eight matches and a +2 goals difference.
The FIFA decision has handed the Super Eagles of Nigeria a more realistic chance of qualifying for the Mundial as only three points separate them from front runners Benin and South Africa instead of the staggering six points previously.
South Africa last two games next month will be away to bottom team Zimbabwe and at home to Rwanda.
A win and at least a draw in these two games will win Bafana Bafana the group, while Benin will have to win their final games away to Rwanda and Nigeria to maintain their top spot in the standings.
Nigeria will hope to improve their goals difference by running up the scores against Lesotho in South Africa.
Rwanda could well hold the key to the Super Eagles World Cup fate as they could now stop Benin with a home win and also cause a big upset with a win in a final game against Bafana Bafana in South Africa.
Nigeria will therefore have to win their final matches away to Lesotho and home to leaders Benin to be in with a chance, while hoping the two front runners slip up in the final rounds.
