Zurich (AP) — South Africa lost its top spot to field an unqualified player in that group after FIFA was stolen from their 2026 World Cup victory on Monday.
FIFA’s disciplinary action overturned South Africa’s victory over Lesotho in March, giving Benin Top a new hope that they would go out in the second round, giving Nigeria a new hope that they could advance to the final tournament.
Only the winners of the group on October 14th will advance directly to the World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. South Africa has not performed at the World Cup since its 2010 edition.
Ahead of next week’s decisive qualifying game, FIFA said the disciplinary judge ordered South Africa to confiscate as a 3-0 loss, a 2-0 victory over Lesotho.
South Africa chose Teboho Mokoena In the game at Polokwane, the midfielders should have banned one game to get yellow cards in the previous two qualifying games.
Administrative mistakes are embarrassing for South Africa as Patrice Motsepe, the top official of soccer, is FIFA’s vice president as the elected leader of the African Football Federation (CAF). Motsepe also owns the Mamelodi Sundowns Club, played by Mokoena.
FIFA said the South African Football Federation could sue the game forfeiture. FIFA also fined the federal 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,500), and Mokoena was officially warned.
Benin rises in four teams races
Without three points and no negative five goal swings in that goal difference, South Africa would fall below new group leader Benin. The team is tied to three points between Nigeria and Rwanda, but Benin’s goal difference is better than South Africa.
South Africa completed its qualifying group with Zimbabwe on October 10th, and four days later it was completed at its home in Rwanda. Zimbabwe’s “home” game is being played in Durban, South Africa, due to the lack of national stadiums meeting CAF standards.
That’s what Mokoena was like I chose last week With the reserve forces in these games, directed by Hugo Blue.
Benin will play for Rwanda on October 10th, then head to Nigeria. Nigeria is hoping to qualify for the seventh World Cup, and it is the first time in Russia since 2018. Nigeria also needs to play Lesotho.
The group’s runner-up will be able to advance to the four-team African playoff bracket in November. This will determine which African teams will advance to the intercontinental playoffs at venues agreed in North America.
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