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2 weeks ago
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- South Africa are acceptable to suffer 3 points and 3 goals for fielding suspended Teboho Mokoena vs Lesotho
- Confirmation from apical authoritative says it is present a substance of when, not if the authorisation against Bafana Bafana happens
- FIFA determination volition boost Nigeria’s hopes of 2026 World Cup qualification aft 1 triumph aft six games
South Africa’s roadworthy to the 2026 FIFA World Cup volition beryllium deed a monolithic bump aft it was confirmed that they volition beryllium docked 3 points and 3 goals for fielding an ineligible subordinate successful a qualifier against Lesotho successful March.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended owed to yellowish cards received successful matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, was inactive fielded by the Bafana Bafana successful the necktie against Lesotho—a usurpation of FIFA rules.
Source: Getty Images
According to a elder authoritative who spoke with SCORENigeria, helium confirmed that the FIFA hammer is acceptable to autumn connected Hugo Broos’ squad aft violating the FIFA rules.
“It is present conscionable a question of erstwhile the announcement volition beryllium made by FIFA, but South Africa volition forfeit the lucifer against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player,” the authoritative disclosed.“The facts are precise wide and adjacent South Africa person admitted their blunder.”He added that the deduction is simply a foregone decision and FIFA is lone near to marque the announcement official.
How the blunder shakes up Group C
Before this dilenma, South Africa were comfortably starring Group C of the African qualifiers with 13 points from six games.
The three-point deduction would driblet them to 10 points, importantly tightening the contention successful the group.
The extremity quality punishment besides compounds their situation, perchance affecting tiebreakers successful the last standings.
This crook of events is peculiarly bully quality for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who person had a shaky qualifying campaign.
With lone 1 triumph from six matches and presently sitting connected 7 points arsenic seen connected FIFA.com, Nigeria’s chances of topping the radical seemed slim.
Source: Getty Images
But with South Africa apt losing 3 points, the spread would beryllium reduced to conscionable three, breathing caller beingness into Nigeria’s campaign.
Crunch games up for Nigeria
The 3 points deduction sets the signifier for a thrilling decorativeness successful Group C.
Nigeria are scheduled to look Rwanda successful Uyo this September earlier flying retired to look South Africa successful what is present shaping up to beryllium a pivotal showdown.
With 4 games remaining, each constituent volition count.
For Nigeria, winning each their remaining matches is non-negotiable if they are to leapfrog South Africa and unafraid the sole automatic qualification summons to the World Cup.
South Africa, connected the different hand, indispensable regroup rapidly and debar further slip-ups. While they whitethorn situation the FIFA ruling, the authoritative confirmation suggests there’s small country for entreaty oregon reversal.
4 countries request points deduction for South Africa
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that nary less than 4 countries could articulation Nigeria successful demanding that FIFA deduct 3 points from South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible Teboho Mokoena during their 2-0 World Cup qualifiers triumph implicit Lesotho.
Reports suggest that Lesotho person opted not to lodge a ceremonial protestation to FIFA arsenic the country's FA cited their nonaccomplishment to enactment wrong the mandatory 48-hour window.
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Source: Legit.ng
