It's a mistake that could cost them qualification for the 2026 World Cup. South Africa coach Hugo Broos fielded a suspended player in the match between Bafana Bafana and Lesotho's Likuena on March 21. This is obviously against FIFA regulations. The player in question, Teboho Mokoena, was suspended after receiving two yellow cards in his team's previous matches.

A sanction that reshuffles the cards in Group C

 

After an investigation was launched into the matter, FIFA finally decided to sanction South Africa. The Rainbow Nation thus lost the match on the green carpet (0-3). Its football association will also have to pay a fine of more than 10,000 euros to the world football governing body.

This sanction against Bafana Bafana reshuffles the cards in this Group C. South Africa (14 points) is now second, behind Benin who have the same number of points, but with a better goal average.

 

“Good news for Benin”

The Cheetahs' coach, Gernot Rohr, is rather happy with this new ranking, but is keeping his feet on the ground.

"It's good news for Benin because we find ourselves top of our group. It took a while because FIFA should have made this decision six months ago. It was only made now. The fact remains that we find ourselves at the top of the group now and we must not get carried away, no euphoria. We have the hardest part starting with these next two matches away from home, in Rwanda and Nigeria. While at the same time, South Africa can play its two home matches again," observed the Franco-German coach.

A qualification “will be difficult but…”

 

He promises to "do everything" to secure this qualification for the World Cup, not without warning that the task will be very difficult, "especially since South Africa is still the favorite, since they are hosting twice."

The Franco-German expects his players to behave like "real cheetahs" during these last two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.