The Super Eagles' path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup may have just received an unexpected boost following a controversy brewing around South Africa's Teboho Mokoena.
Reports suggest the Bafana Bafana midfielder should have been suspended for their Matchday 5 clash against Lesotho due to accumulated yellow cards.
Mokoena received a yellow card during South Africa’s Matchday 1 encounter against Benin and picked up another booking on Matchday 4 against Zimbabwe, rendering him ineligible to feature in the subsequent fixture against Lesotho.
These revelations have sparked speculation that South Africa could face a points deduction if confirmed by the relevant authorities.
How FIFA’s disciplinary rules could benefit the Super Eagles
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers rulebook subsection 9 could play a crucial role in bolstering the Super Eagles' chances of securing a spot at next year's FIFA World Cup.
It states that, a player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-match suspension.
Mokoena was booked in South Africa’s opening qualifier against Benin (MD1) and picked up another caution against Zimbabwe (MD4). Despite this, he featured for 81 minutes in the MD5 encounter with Lesotho, a potential breach of FIFA regulations.
If the standard six-game suspension rule applies to the ten-game qualification format, South Africa could face a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player. This development could dramatically shift the dynamics of Group C, where Nigeria is battling to secure a World Cup ticket.
South Africa currently tops Group C with 10 points, followed by Benin with eight, Rwanda with seven, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points.
Should Bafana Bafana face sanctions, the Super Eagles could receive a significant boost in their qualification hopes, adding even greater importance to their upcoming clashes against South Africa and Benin.
