By KUNLE SOLAJA.

The controversy surrounding South Africa’s use of an ineligible player in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has taken a new twist, with even South Africans now urging FIFA to deliver a ruling.

At the heart of the dispute is midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was fielded in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane last March despite being suspended after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign.

While South Africa admitted the blunder, FIFA has yet to make a decision on possible sanctions — six months later. But the football governing body has made decisions on infractions committed in June in other continents of South America, Europe and Asia while   turning the blind eye to that of Africa.

The African football confederation is being led by a South African, thus fueling suspicions. Teboho Mokoena, the offending player also features for Mamelodi Sundowns, a club owned by the CAF president.

Writing in South African newspaper, Sowetan, sports editor Nkareng Matshe argued that FIFA’s silence risks tarnishing what has otherwise been an impressive qualifying run by Bafana Bafana.

“We have already admitted to the error, and precedence dictates that we be punished and stripped of three points,” Matshe wrote.

 “FIFA’s delay in making a ruling should not be treated as a cause for celebration. It only fuels conspiracy theories and unfairly smears the team.”

Matshe noted that Hugo Broos’s side, buoyed by their 2023 AFCON bronze medal finish, have matured into genuine contenders and could still qualify even if docked points.

“Bafana don’t need FIFA’s helping hand to qualify. They are strong enough to get over the line on merit,” he insisted.

But critics elsewhere in Group C — including Nigeria, Rwanda, Benin and Lesotho — argue that FIFA’s inaction has distorted the standings and created unnecessary tension. Benin’s coach Gernot Rohr told Reuters this week:

“It is not normal that we don’t know the situation about the points on the log table before our games. Normally, South Africa should lose three points. FIFA should now very quickly give the decision.”

Rohr knows the precedent well: as Nigeria coach in 2018, his team forfeited a point after fielding suspended defender Shehu Abdullahi in a qualifier against Algeria.

Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, teams that field ineligible players forfeit the match, with opponents awarded a 3-0 win unless the original result was more advantageous.

South Africa, however, have argued that since Lesotho did not lodge a protest, the points should stand.

As it is, Bafana top the group with 17 points, three clear of the second-placed Benin and six above that of Nigeria in the third position.

A points deduction would slash that margin, potentially flipping the table and leaving the qualification race wide open with two matches to play.

The uncertainty has cast a shadow over a crucial October fixtures, with South Africa set to ‘host’ eliminated Zimbabwe in what should have been an home match to the latter, thus adding to the unfair play.

The Nigerian Football Federation has echoed the growing frustration, with the communication director, Dr. Ademola Olajire being quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federation was still awaiting FIFA’s decision.

For now, the giant question mark lingers. South Africa’s dream of a first World Cup appearance since 2010 remains alive — but so too does the cloud of controversy over Mokoena’s ineligible appearance.

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More than 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries have been received by FIFA within 24 hours of the presale draw for the 2026 World Cup being launched, the governing body of world soccer said on Thursday.

The extraordinary global demand for the tournament came primarily from the United States, Mexico and Canada, followed by Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal and Germany.

The response highlighted the international appeal of the expanded 48-team tournament which will be hosted by Mexico, Canada and the U.S. and will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities.

The draw is open until 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) on September 19, and the time of entry does not affect fans’ chances of securing tickets.

Successful applicants will be notified via email starting September 29 and given designated time slots to purchase tickets beginning October 1.

Tickets will start at $60, yet dynamic pricing will be in operation during the first phase of ticket sales with fans paying different prices according to market demand. Additional ticket sales phases are scheduled to begin in October.

-Reuters

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According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting FIFA has cleared South Africa of any wrongdoing in the ongoing player ineligibility saga involving Teboho Mokoena.

Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communications, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that it had not received any official communication from FIFA on the matter.

“There has been no official communication to that effect. What people are reporting is a tweet on their (FIFA) X account. We don’t regard that as official communication,” he said.

The post from FIFA official X handle last Tuesday hours before South Africa faced Nigeria

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana risk FIFA sanctions after their midfielder, Mokoena was fielded against Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier, after receiving two yellow cards, earlier in the campaign.

By FIFA rules, two yellow cards from separate matches resulted in a one-match suspension but Mokoena played in the next game, which South Africa won 2-0.

Lesotho promptly filed a protest, asking FIFA to award them a 3-0 win and dock South Africa three points.

Six months on, FIFA had yet to issue a formal decision, while the delay added uncertainty to the situation in the CAF World Cup qualifying Group C table.

NAN reports that if Lesotho’s protest stands, South Africa will lose the match and three points, while Lesotho gains a 3-0 win with three points.

However, if FIFA finds the protest invalid or filed incorrectly, South Africa may avoid punishment and retain the already accumulated 17 points.

As things stand, Nigeria must focus on winning upcoming matches, while awaiting FIFA’s verdict.

Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa on Tuesday meant the Super Eagles occupied the second spot on the log with 11 points from eight matches.

The Super Eagles next game is an away match to Lesotho at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Oct. 10, before wrapping up their campaign on Oct. 16 against Benin Republic in Uyo.

As it stands, South Africa remain in a strong position to top the group with 17 points from eight matches, while second placed Benin Republic are on 14 points.

Fourth-placed Rwanda are tied on 11 points with Nigeria, while Lesotho (6 points) and Zimbabwe (4 points) complete the six-team table.

Nigeria may now need to win all their remaining games or settle for a play-off route.

 – NAN

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