Overview

• FIFA ruled that South Africa violated Article 19 by fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had accumulated yellow cards against Benin and Zimbabwe.
• The March 21 result in Polokwane is overturned from a 2–0 South Africa win to a 3–0 administrative loss to Lesotho, and SAFA is fined 10,000 Swiss francs (about €10,700).
• South Africa falls to second in Group C behind Benin on goal difference, with both on 14 points; Lesotho remains fifth on 9, while Nigeria and Rwanda have 11.
• SAFA retains the right to appeal and says it will lodge a formal appeal within 10 days after requesting the written grounds for the ruling.
• With only group winners qualifying directly for 2026 and the best runners-up entering playoffs, the reversal strengthens Nigeria’s prospects heading into October’s final two matchdays.