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FIFA's silence over Bafana's use of ineligible player confusing
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A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, with several nations demanding clarity from FIFA on South Africa's alleged use of an ineligible player.
Bafana Bafana fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 home victory over Lesotho despite the player having picked up two yellow cards in earlier Group C matches, which should have ruled him out of the fixture.
According to Reuters, Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed frustration at FIFA's silence on the matter, saying the lack of a ruling has complicated preparations for this week's decisive round of qualifiers.
"It is very, very strange. Normally, South Africa should lose three points and they should go to Lesotho. But nobody knows why FIFA has not taken this decision," Rohr said.
The Nigeria Football Federation also called on FIFA to act, stating in a statement earlier this week: "The world still awaits FIFA's decision."
Both federations argue that FIFA's ruling — or lack thereof — could directly influence which team qualifies from the tightly contested group.
As the final fixtures approach, South Africa lead Group C with 13 points, followed by Rwanda and Benin on eight each, Nigeria on seven, Lesotho on six, and Zimbabwe at the bottom with four.
On Friday, Benin face Zimbabwe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, while group rivals anxiously await a FIFA decision that could reshape the standings. For Zimbabwe, anything short of victory will all but end their qualification hopes.
Bafana Bafana fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 home victory over Lesotho despite the player having picked up two yellow cards in earlier Group C matches, which should have ruled him out of the fixture.
According to Reuters, Benin coach Gernot Rohr expressed frustration at FIFA's silence on the matter, saying the lack of a ruling has complicated preparations for this week's decisive round of qualifiers.
"It is very, very strange. Normally, South Africa should lose three points and they should go to Lesotho. But nobody knows why FIFA has not taken this decision," Rohr said.
The Nigeria Football Federation also called on FIFA to act, stating in a statement earlier this week: "The world still awaits FIFA's decision."
Both federations argue that FIFA's ruling — or lack thereof — could directly influence which team qualifies from the tightly contested group.
As the final fixtures approach, South Africa lead Group C with 13 points, followed by Rwanda and Benin on eight each, Nigeria on seven, Lesotho on six, and Zimbabwe at the bottom with four.
On Friday, Benin face Zimbabwe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, while group rivals anxiously await a FIFA decision that could reshape the standings. For Zimbabwe, anything short of victory will all but end their qualification hopes.
Source - The Chronicle
