Overview
- FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned South Africa for fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena, converting a reported victory over Lesotho into a forfeit and deducting three points.
- South Africa drop to second behind Benin on goal difference with both teams on 14 points, intensifying the battle for the group’s direct 2026 World Cup berth.
- The updated table stands at Benin 14 points (+4), South Africa 14 (+3), Nigeria 11 (+2), Rwanda 11 (0), Lesotho 9 (-3) and Zimbabwe 4 (-6).
- Two matchdays remain: Oct. 10 features Lesotho–Nigeria and Zimbabwe–South Africa, with the group concluding Oct. 13–14 including Nigeria–Benin and South Africa–Rwanda.
- Africa sends nine group winners directly to the World Cup, while the four best runners-up enter a continental playoff, and Morocco and Tunisia have already secured two of the direct slots.