2026 WCQ: Drama in Super Eagles’ group as South Africa face 3-point deduction
Nigeria’s hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup might have just gotten an unexpected boost following controversy around South Africa midfielder, Teboho Mokoena.
Mokoena should have been suspended for Bafana Bafana’s Matchday 5 clash against Lesotho due to accumulated yellow cards.
He was booked in their Matchday 1 fixture against Benin Republic and picked up another on Matchday 4 against Zimbabwe.
The two bookings rendered Mokoena ineligible to feature in the subsequent fixture against Lesotho.
These revelations have sparked speculation that South Africa could face a points deduction if confirmed by the relevant authorities.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers rulebook subsection 9 states that a player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-match suspension.
Mokoena playing for 81 minutes against Lesotho is therefore a potential breach of FIFA regulations.
If the standard six-game suspension rule applies to the 10-game qualification format, South Africa could face a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.
This development could dramatically shift the dynamics of Group C, where Nigeria is battling to secure a World Cup ticket.
South Africa currently tops Group C with 10 points, followed by Benin with eight, Rwanda with seven, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points.
2026 WCQ: Drama in Super Eagles’ group as South Africa face 3-point deduction
