(JUST IN)W’Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles gain edge as South Africa penalised for fielding ineligible player

FIFA has officially sanctioned the Bafana Bafana of South Africa for breaching player eligibility rules during a recent World Cup qualifier.

In a statement released on Monday, the world football governing body confirmed that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to feature in the Group C clash against Lesotho on March 21, 2025.

The decision was reached by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which ruled that South Africa violated competition regulations by fielding Mokoena.

The panel ruled that Bafana Bafana breached “article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations”.

The panel ruled that Bafana Bafana breached “article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations”.

The committee then declared that South Africa “forfeited” the match to their opponents by a score of 3-0.

The three points from the game have been awarded to Lesotho, while Bafana Bafana’s 17-point lead at the top of the group has been reduced to 14 points.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been handed a glimmer of hope as they sit in third place, just three points behind South Africa, with two games remaining.

(TheCable)