Julius OkorieGroup C table toppers, South Africa, are on the verge of going three points down following their use of ineligible player against Lesotho in the World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana fielded Theboho Mokoena in their 2-0 defeat of the Crocodiles. Mokoena who had two previous yellow cards ahead of the said match should have served a match ban. The punishment will not only see the table toppers lose three points but also forfeit three goals in line with FIFA rules.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to football lawyer Jonas Michael who opined that the rules will automatically apply even without protest, recalled that Nigeria suffered the same fate in 2018 against Algeria, who were awarded three points and three goals when Nigeria fielded an ineligible player in Shehu Abdullahi in a dead rubber world cup qualifiers game. The Algerians didn’t file a protest but FIFA took the decision in accordance with the rules of the world cup qualifiers.
” If you are a South African just deduct three points from your team’s tally and I expect people from Lesotho to also do the same. It’s not even about protest or a specific time for a protest to be lodged. The rule is clearly spelt out by FIFA and the punishment as well”, he said
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“I see a lot of people in South Africa talking about technicalities giving them an edge. That is not true and I believe their association is very aware of it. They have lost that point and will be deducted three goals. A fine will also be hammered on them”, he concluded.
The new development will throw the group open again leaving all of the teams a chance of making it to the World cup.
South Africa will however retain their position at the top of the Group with 10 points with four matches to go.
Although the deduction has not been effected on Group standings just yet, the new development is an indication that South Africa will fight to the finish in the remaining matches including their home game against Super Eagles on the 8th of September.
The clash from all indication may be as tense as the semi-final clash of both teams at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria ultimately survived the clash advancing after 4-2 penalty win to face Ivory Coast in the final, Where the Eagles lost narrowly to hosts and eventual winners Ivory Coast. Eagles who are also seeking a place in the World Cup return to the qualifiers on September 1 against Rwanda before away tie against South Africa.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
