FIFA’s disciplinary committee last Monday ruled that South Africa must forfeit their 2–0 win over Lesotho in March. The reason: they fielded Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended after collecting two yellow cards in earlier matches.
The original result is now converted into a 3–0 loss for South Africa, and the team is fined 10,000 Swiss francs.
As a result, South Africa loses three points and drops from first to second place in Group C. Benin now leads on goal difference; both teams have 14 points. Nigeria and Rwanda trail by three points each.
Only the group winner qualifies directly to the World Cup; runners-up may fight through playoffs.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) admitted the error. Coach Hugo Broos called it a “mistake we should not have made.”
However, critics have slammed FIFA for waiting nearly seven months to act. Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, warned that the delay is “strange” and unfair to teams planning strategy.
The final rounds of Group C qualifiers loom large. On October 10, South Africa plays Zimbabwe (in Durban), while Benin faces Rwanda.
On October 14, South Africa hosts Rwanda and Benin travels to Nigeria. These matches now carry extra weight with the new standings.
