ZURICH: South Africa have forfeited a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player, world football governing body FIFA announced on Monday.
The 2-0 win recorded by Bafana Bafana on March 21 in Polokwane has now been overturned to a 3-0 defeat.
The sanction pushes South Africa down to second in Group C of the African Zone qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho stays rooted in fifth.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa breached Article 19 of its code by fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who should have been suspended after accumulating yellow cards against Benin and Zimbabwe.
In addition to the points deduction, the South African FA faces a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536). The FA may still appeal the decision.
While South Africa’s punishment has reshuffled the group standings, it does little to console Nigeria’s Super Eagles, whose path to the 2026 World Cup is officially closed.
The three-time African champions faltered in key fixtures, drawing winnable matches against South Africa in Uyo (1-1) and later against lowly-ranked Lesotho.
In both games, the Super Eagles created a flurry of scoring chances but failed to convert Victor Osimhen struck the post, Ademola Lookman blazed over from close range, while Kelechi Iheanacho saw a one-on-one opportunity wasted.
Against Benin in Cotonou, Nigeria’s lack of sharpness in front of goal again proved costly as missed sitters and defensive lapses condemned them to a shock 2-1 defeat.
Those dropped points, coupled with tactical inconsistency and poor game management, left the Eagles needing a miracle in the final round.
Even with FIFA’s ruling against South Africa, Nigeria’s earlier wastefulness meant they had already surrendered control of their qualification destiny.
The punishment altered group mathematics, but the Super Eagles’ inability to bury their chances ensured they will miss the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time.
For millions of Nigerian fans, the heartbreak is not about South Africa’s sanction but about the golden opportunities wasted on the pitch opportunities that could have secured a ticket to North America in 2026.
