How Fifa sanction on South Africa affects group C in the World Cup qualifiers

Following Fifa’s decision to dock South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena for their match against Lesotho in the world cup qualifiers, Benin now level in Group C.

The Bafana Bafana were found guilty of fielding Mokoena in their win over their neighbours in March despite the player being suspended for accumulation of bookings.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations,” 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 decision, Bafana Bafana sit level on points (14) with Benin ahead of the final qualifiers in two weeks but the South Africans slipping to second on goal difference.

Their remaining two matches are against Zimbabwe and Rwanda both South Africa while Benin play away to both Nigeria and Rwanda come next month.

Group C updated table

1. Benin – 14pts GD 4
2. South Africa – 14pts GD 3
3. Nigeria – 11pts GD 2
4. Rwanda – 10pts GD 0
5. Lesotho – 9pts GD -3
6. Zimbabwe – 4pts GD -6