FIFA has confirmed the deduction of three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Lesotho. The sanction saw Lesotho awarded a 3–0 win, with the South African Football Association fined and Mokoena warned.
Several African teams have previously suffered similar penalties:– Cape Verde fielded Fernando Varela while suspended. The match was forfeited, Tunisia awarded a 3–0 win, and Cape Verde lost their playoff spot. Ethiopia used Minyahil Teshome Beyene despite suspension. Botswana were handed a 3–0 win, and Ethiopia were stripped of three points. Sudan fielded Saif Ali while suspended. Zambia were awarded a 3–0 win, and Sudan’s appeal to CAS failed. Burkina Faso used Herve Zengue in an eligibility dispute. Results were forfeited, a 3–0 win awarded to opponents, and Burkina were fined.
Gabon fielded Charly Moussono, who had represented Cameroon in beach soccer. Opponents were awarded 3–0 wins, altering group standings. Togo faced disciplinary action after fielding an ineligible player, leading to forfeits and reshaped qualifying groups. Nigeria played Shehu Abdullahi despite a suspension. Algeria were awarded a 3–0 win, and the NFF was fined, with Nigeria losing three points. Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue was ruled ineligible in two qualifiers, both forfeited as 3–0 defeats. Nsue also received a ban. The latest ruling against South Africa reshuffles Group C and revives debate over FIFA’s disciplinary processes.
Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/l
