Particle.news
Download on the App Store
33 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

FIFA Strips South Africa of Lesotho Win, Deducts Three Points in World Cup Qualifying

SAFA will appeal as the ruling leaves Bafana Bafana trailing Benin on goal difference with two October fixtures remaining.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled Teboho Mokoena was ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 forfeit, fining SAFA CHF 10,000 and issuing the player a warning.
  • South Africa’s tally drops from 17 to 14 points with goal difference now +3, placing them second in Group C behind Benin on +4, with Nigeria and Rwanda three points back.
  • SAFA says the decision came from a single-member panel without reasons, has requested the written ruling, and intends to file an appeal within the 10-day window, with further recourse possible to CAS.
  • Sports minister Gayton McKenzie called the sanction deeply regrettable and ordered a government investigation into the administrative lapse.
  • Bafana Bafana face Zimbabwe in Durban on Oct. 10 and Rwanda in Mbombela on Oct. 14, while Benin travel to Rwanda and Nigeria, leaving South Africa likely needing maximum points and help elsewhere.