BREAKING: South Africa docked three points for fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier

FIFA has finally sanctioned the Bafana Bafana of South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in one of their qualifying matches.

The world football governing body announced the decision in a statement on Monday.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee confirmed that South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their World Cup qualification Group C match against Lesotho, played on 21 March 2025.

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 points have been reduced to 14 points, and the team moves second with an inferior goal difference to the Benin Republic, who are also on the same number of 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.

The forfeiture ruling, however, remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

How Group C looks after South Africa’s point deduction.

Benin – 14 pts +4

South Africa – 14 pts +3

Nigeria – 11 pts +2

Rwanda – 11 pts +0

Lesotho – 9 pts -3

Zimbabwe – 4 pts