Overview

• FIFA awarded a 3-0 forfeit to Lesotho, replacing South Africa’s 2-0 March result and creating a five-goal swing in goal difference.
• SAFA was fined CHF 10,000 and Mokoena received a formal warning for appearing despite a one-match ban triggered by two yellow cards.
• South Africa falls from first place, now level on points with Benin but trailing on goal difference, with Nigeria and Rwanda three points back.
• Remaining fixtures: South Africa plays Zimbabwe on Oct. 10 in Durban and Rwanda on Oct. 14, while Benin visits Rwanda then Nigeria and Nigeria also faces Lesotho.
• SAFA has 10 days to appeal, and South Africa likely needs wins in both games to keep realistic hopes of automatic qualification.