South Africa Faces Points Deduction in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

South Africa's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are jeopardized after the revelation that midfielder Teboho Mokoena played ineligible during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho. Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches, which should have led to his suspension, thus risking a potential three-point deduction for South Africa. Currently, South Africa leads Group C with 10 points, followed by Benin and Rwanda, while Nigeria sits in fourth place with six points. If FIFA rules against South Africa, it could significantly alter the group standings and Nigeria's hopes of qualification. The football community is awaiting an official response from FIFA regarding this situation, as Nigeria may push for a formal protest. The implications of this incident could be far-reaching, potentially reshaping the competition landscape in Group C.