South Africa Solidifies World Cup Qualifying Position Amidst Eligibility Concerns
South Africa bolstered their position atop Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers with a decisive 2-0 victory over Benin. Goals from Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams secured the win, providing a crucial buffer against potential sanctions stemming from fielding an ineligible player in a previous match. The cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team arose from the inclusion of midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards in prior qualifying games, rendering him ineligible for the Lesotho match. This oversight placed South Africa at risk of forfeiting the three points earned in that victory.
Mokoena’s first caution came during a November 2023 home win against Benin, followed by another booking in a June 2024 victory over Zimbabwe. Despite these accumulated cautions, he started and played a significant portion of the Lesotho game, raising concerns about a potential breach of FIFA regulations. According to FIFA’s rulebook, a player receiving two cautions in separate qualifying matches faces an automatic one-match suspension. This rule aims to promote fair play and deter persistent disciplinary infractions throughout the qualifying campaign.
The looming threat of a points deduction placed added pressure on the South African team heading into the Benin clash. The possibility of forfeiting three points could have significantly altered the group standings, potentially allowing rivals Nigeria or Lesotho to close the gap or even surpass them in the table. This precarious situation underscored the importance of securing a decisive win against Benin to maintain their lead and solidify their path to World Cup qualification.
While the victory against Benin provided a significant boost, the eligibility issue remained a pressing concern. FIFA’s regulations stipulate a specific process for protesting player eligibility. Any protest must be lodged with the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match in question and subsequently submitted in writing to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee within 24 hours, accompanied by a full report and a copy of the original protest. Failure to adhere to this strict timeline could result in the protest being disregarded, irrespective of its validity.
The fate of South Africa’s three points hinged on whether any protests were lodged by Nigeria or Lesotho within the stipulated timeframe. A successful protest could result in Lesotho being awarded the three points, potentially propelling them up the standings. Nigeria, too, stood to benefit from a South African points deduction, depending on the outcome of other matches. The potential ramifications of the eligibility issue highlighted the importance of adherence to FIFA regulations and the meticulous management of player disciplinary records.
Ultimately, South Africa’s 2-0 win against Benin served as a crucial step toward securing their World Cup qualification aspirations. The victory not only extended their lead at the top of Group C but also provided a valuable cushion against any potential points deduction. However, the lingering uncertainty surrounding Mokoena’s eligibility served as a reminder of the importance of adhering to FIFA regulations throughout the qualifying campaign. The final outcome of the eligibility issue would ultimately determine the final standings and the teams that would progress to the next stage of World Cup qualification.
