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Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived after football’s governing body sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho in March be forfeited, after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. The decision awards Lesotho a 3–0 win and deducts three points from South Africa.
Alongside the points loss, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($13,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning.
The ruling has blown Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers wide open. South Africa, who had been leading, now dropped to second level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by just three points, setting up a tense finale to the qualifying rounds next month.
Only group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in North and Central America.
SAFA confirmed it will appeal the decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and “unprecedented.” South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, described the affair as “embarrassing” and promised an investigation into the administrative failure that led to the sanction.
Nigeria, meanwhile, have been handed a golden opportunity. Wins in their remaining fixtures could send the Super Eagles top of the group and back on course for World Cup qualification.
Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa must travel to Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda. With just three points separating the top four sides, Group C has become one of the most unpredictable races in African football.
