Overview

• FIFA’s disciplinary panel ruled South Africa fielded suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in March, breaching Article 19, and recorded the match as a 3-0 forfeit to Lesotho.
• SAFA was fined CHF 10,000 and Mokoena received a formal warning, with the ruling also imposing a five-goal swing against South Africa’s goal difference.
• The revised standings place Benin top on goal difference ahead of South Africa on 14 points, with Nigeria and Rwanda three points back and still in contention.
• South Africa now face Zimbabwe on October 10 and Rwanda on October 14, while Benin visit Rwanda before traveling to Nigeria, and Nigeria also play Lesotho.
• SAFA requested written reasons and will appeal to FIFA’s Appeals Committee, as Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie called the episode deeply regrettable and ordered an investigation.