FIFA has handed South Africa a forfeit defeat in World Cup qualifying after the national side fielded an ineligible player in their March fixture against Lesotho.
The match, played on March 21 in Polokwane, had ended 2-0 in South Africa’s favour. But world football’s governing body announced on Monday, September 29, that the result has been overturned to a 3-0 victory for Lesotho.
The disciplinary committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have played, as he had already collected yellow cards in earlier games against Benin and Zimbabwe. By fielding him, South Africa were found to have breached Article 19 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.
The South African Football Association has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs (around $12,500). It retains the right to appeal to FIFA’s Appeals Committee.
The decision has blown Group C of African World Cup qualifying wide open, with South Africa dropping from top of the table to second place, behind Benin on goal difference.
Only the group winners are assured of reaching next year's tournament in north and central America. It also gives renewed hope to Nigeria and Rwanda of reaching the finals, with both of those sides now three points below Benin and South Africa.
Benin travel to Rwanda and Nigeria in the final two round of qualifiers between 10 and 14 October, while South Africa face an away game against Zimbabwe before hosting Rwanda.
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