S. Africa loses World Cup qualifiers over the non -eligible player

South Africa has lost a 2026 World Cup match against Lesotho to achieve a non -eligible player announced by FIFA world football on Monday.

South Africa’s 2-0 victory on March 21 at Polokwane has been replaced by a 3-0 defeat, which means they fall in second place in the C-African qualifying group, behind Benin in the goal difference, while Lesoto remains fifth.

South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing Teboho Mokoena, after the midfielder had gathered two yellow cards against Benin and then in Zimbabwe, the Football Disciplinary Committee said.

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie said the ratification was “deeply sad and has embarrassed to our nation”.

“We recognize that this situation has brought South Africa into distrust and we must take full responsibility for dealing with it,” he said.

“Thank you FIFA for the quick action and it doesn’t make us wonder and wait anxiously for our fate.”

“However, our immediate focus must be the accumulation behind our national team as they prepare for their last two last two matches in October.”

“Bafana Bafana played with a huge heart and determination to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup next year and deserve our steadfast support.”

“This abstraction is just a hit on the street and we believe we remain steadily on the right to the qualifications.”

“My section will lead to a thorough research on the incapacity that led to this ratification.”

South Africa, which can still appeal to the decision, must also pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss Fragians ($ 12,536).

The decision offers a salvation in Nigeria that returns to three points of the first two entering the last two rounds of the qualifiers next month.

Only nine winners of the teams fulfill the conditions for the next year’s World Cup. The four best runners will go to play-offs that could give Africa 10th place in the finals.