World Cup
South Africa’s Mark Gleeson, writes: FIFA silence on sanctions for errant South Africa a mystery
According to Mark Gleeson, a top-notch South African sports journalist, FIFA’s reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week’s potentially decisive round of African qualifiers.
He wrote for the global news agency, Reuters. The write-up runs thus:
FIFA’s reticence to dock World Cup points from South Africa for using a defaulter in a March fixture is casting a cloud and creating confusion ahead of this week’s potentially decisive round of African qualifiers.
South Africa were severely embarrassed when they belatedly discovered the mistake, but insists that because their opponents did not protest, they will not lose the three points.
“We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint,” said South Africa coach Hugo Broos this week when again questioned on the matter.
But FIFA’s Disciplinary Code makes provisions for proceedings to be instigated by the administration of world football’s governing body, not only via protest, and they have previously sanctioned countries which have committed the same offence.
The rules state: “If a person receives a caution in two separate matches of the same FIFA competition, they are automatically suspended from the next match in that competition.”
The disciplinary code also adds: “If a team fields a player who is not eligible to participate (due to suspension, registration issues, nationality, etc.), the match is automatically forfeited. The default result is a 3–0 loss, unless the actual result was even more disadvantageous to the offending team.”
“It is not normal that we don’t know the situation about the points on the log table before our games this week,” said Gernot Rohr, coach of Benin, which is second behind South Africa in the standings.
“It is very, very strange. Normally, South Africa should lose three points, and they should go to Lesotho. But nobody knows why they (FIFA) did not take this decision,” he told Reuters.
UNANSWERED
Repeated queries to world football’s governing body in Zurich have gone unanswered in the five months since the incident.
Rohr would know better than most the ramifications of fielding an ineligible player. In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, when he was Nigeria’s coach, they forfeited the point from a 1-1 draw in Algeria for fielding Shehu Abdullahi, who was suspended.
“We didn’t know he was suspended, and we lost the points in the disciplinary committee,” added Rohr.
With their win still intact, South Africa lead the standings with 13 points, five ahead of Rwanda and Benin and six ahead of Nigeria, whom they host in a crunch game in Bloemfontein next Tuesday. Lesotho have six points and Zimbabwe sit last on four.
Losing three points would see South Africa’s advantage reduced to only two points with four qualifiers to play and put Lesotho into second place, setting up a nervy round of matches when the six protagonists play on Friday and again next Tuesday.
The teams tussling for qualification want clarity. “The world still awaits FIFA’s decision,” said the Nigerian Football Federation on their website this week, and Rohr added, “FIFA should now very quickly give the decision.”
The group winner qualifies automatically for next year’s finals in North America.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s Super Eagles face a must-win clash on Saturday as Rwanda’s Amavubi arrive in Uyo with a 24-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The visitors, led by coach Adel Amrouche, dropped Claude Smith Kayibanda, Djabilu Ishimwe and David Niyo, with Kayibanda ruled out by injury.
The Rwandans are expected to touch down in Lagos on Tuesday before continuing to Uyo to set up camp ahead of Matchday 7 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. After facing Nigeria, they will move on to South Africa for a fixture against Zimbabwe on September 9.
The stakes are high for Eric Chelle’s Eagles, who sit fourth in Group C with seven points — one behind Rwanda and Benin, and six adrift of leaders South Africa.
With FIFA still to rule on a protest over Bafana Bafana’s alleged use of an ineligible player, Saturday’s showdown could be decisive in Nigeria’s qualification push.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- Summary
- Morocco could become first African side to reach 2026 finals
- Algeria, Egypt can also qualify with two games to play
- Key clashes in several other qualifying groups
Africa could deliver the first of its nine guaranteed representatives at the 2026 World Cup when qualifying resumes this week, with Morocco among several familiar protagonists standing on the cusp of winning their groups.
The Moroccans set a benchmark for Africa at the last World Cup by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar and look likely to be the continent’s first side to qualify for the next finals in North America.
Victory at home over Niger, combined with closest Group E challengers Tanzania failing to win at Brazzaville against Congo, on Friday would see Morocco book their berth for 2026.
Morocco, FIFA’s highest ranked African side at number 12, are the only side with a 100% record in the preliminaries.
Egypt, who were the first Africans to compete at a World Cup in 1934, must win at home against Ethiopia on Friday and then overcame second-placed Burkina Faso away in Ouagadougou next Tuesday to ensure top spot in Group A.
That is easier said than done though, as Burkina will be back in front of their home fans after a ban on the August 4 Stadium, which forced them to host previous “home” qualifiers in Morocco, was lifted after renovations.
Algeria are only three points ahead of Mozambique at the top of Group G but if results go their way over the next week of the international window they could also be sure of qualifying.
They have a home clash against Botswana on Thursday and then meet Guinea in neutral Casablanca on Monday.
Guinea are one of 13 countries forced to move home games to neutral venues because their stadia failed to meet international standards.
Tunisia also have a chance of qualifying ahead of the final two rounds of group fixtures in October. They need to beat Liberia and Equatorial Guinea and hope other results in Group H go their way.
The winners of all nine groups gain automatic berths at the expanded 48-team finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The four best placed runners-up go into a playoff in November to determine one African team to advance to a final inter-continental playoff next March.
In other key matches over the next week, Group F front-runners Ivory Coast will go to chasers Gabon with likely a single point separating them.
In Kinshasa, the match-up between hosts Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal could determine who goes top of Group B while South Africa’s fixture against Nigeria could have a big impact on how Group C shakes out.
Another key encounter sees Cameroon travel to the Cape Verde Islands in Group D.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s next World Cup qualifying opponents, Rwanda’s Amavubi, have stepped up preparations for their crucial Group C encounter against the Super Eagles by opening camp in Kigali on Sunday.
The team, lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, began training on Monday at the Amahoro Stadium under the watchful eyes of head coach Adel Amrouche.
The 27-man provisional squad will be trimmed to 24 before their departure to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 2.
The Rwandan delegation is scheduled to leave Kigali aboard RwandAir at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, with Lagos as their first point of entry before heading to Uyo.
The Super Eagles will host the Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, September 6.
Rwanda will then continue their qualifying campaign with an away fixture against Zimbabwe in South Africa on September 9.
The Matchday 7 clash in Uyo is crucial for both Nigeria and Rwanda, as the race for qualification heats up.
Group leaders South Africa currently sit top with 13 points, pending FIFA’s ruling on allegations of fielding an ineligible player in their March win over Lesotho.
Rwanda are second on eight points, level with Benin, while Nigeria trail closely in fourth place with seven points. Lesotho are on six points, with Zimbabwe rooted at the bottom on four.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
From Fortress to Football Theatre: Marrakech’s Grand Stade Gets a Makeover
South Africa’s Mark Gleeson, writes: FIFA silence on sanctions for errant South Africa a mystery
Super Eagles Eye Crucial Points as Rwanda’s coach, Amrouche, drops three players
- Nigerian Football6 days ago
NPFL Lifts Suspension on Ex-Plateau United Goalkeeper, Orders Full Investigation
- Nigerian Football6 days ago
Remo Stars Face Leadership Void as Captain Nduka, Deputy Bankole Exit
- CHAN3 days ago
Morocco Chase Historic Hat-Trick in CHAN Final Against Madagascar
- CHAN1 week ago
CHAN 2024: Morocco, Senegal Set for Historic Semi-final Clash in Kampala
- World Cup1 week ago
Rwanda Call Up Six New Faces for Crucial World Cup Qualifier Against Nigeria
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
NPFL to Honour Anas, Ogunmodede with Top Awards in Abuja
- World Cup5 days ago
Bloemfontein Showdown: Bafana Bafana Coach, Broos, Admits Nigeria Can Still Qualify
- Netball1 week ago
Taraba Sports Council, MAS Foundation Hold 10-Day Netball Training for Schoolgirls