Blows Group open, handing Benin, Nigeria, Rwanda, qualification lifeline

By Ed Emeanua

World governing body of association football, FIFA, has sanctioned South Africa with a game forfeiture for ineligible player use. 

Teboho Mokoena was fielded against Likuena in March when the midfielder was ineligible to play over maximum yellow card accumulation, setting up Bafana to run foul of the qualification rules.

FIFA disciplinary committee has now cited South Africa for contravening a competition rule in the match which Bafana posted a 2-0 win over Lesotho.

Bafana also loses 3 goals, forcing South Africa (14 points) to drop to second position behind Benin (14) on goals difference, handing qualification lifeline to Nigeria (11), Rwanda (11), and Lesotho (9) in Group C.

Group C

POS		TEAM	MP	WON	DRAWN	LOST	GF	GA	PTS
1		Benin	8	4	2	2	11	7	14
2		South Africa	8	4	2	2	12	9	14
3		Nigeria	8	2	5	1	9	7	11
4		Rwanda	8	3	2	3	5	5	11
5		Lesotho	8	2	3	3	7	10	9
6		Zimbabwe	8	0	4	4	5	11	4

South Africa must also pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA for the breach of rules. While the forfeiture decision is subject to potential appeal before FIFA Appeal Committee, it has thrown the qualification group wide open.

Group C Matches and Results

New Group leaders Benin faces Rwanda and Nigeria in their remaining final 2 games of the qualifiers, Nigeria will take on Benin and Lesotho, South Africa will play against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

All six games left to be played in Group C will take place in October.