South Africa not off the hook over Mokoena - FIFA

...Small World Cup finals window opens for Nigeria
By Maxwell Kumoye 
 
 
South Africa's hope of playing in the 2026 World Cup finals may be hit by world football governing body FIBA for using a player who was suspended.

Bafana Bafana made a mistake by playing Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March’s World Cup qualifier 

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had been cautioned twice in the initial rounds, meaning he was not eligible to play against the Crocodiles.

"FIFA have officially opened disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena," the National Broadcaster SABC reported.
"In a letter to SAFA dated 15 September 2025; FIFA confirmed that both the player and the association face charges of breaching several disciplinary regulations, including the fielding of an ineligible player. 

"The case has been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with SAFA and Mokoena given six days to submit their response," they added.

If found guilty, South Africa will be deducted 3 points and 3 goals and this means that they will be slightly ahead of Benin Republic on goals difference with the number of points 14 with two games to go.

Nigeria will be third on 11 points just as Rwanda.

Nigeria will be a guest of Lesotho on MatchDay 9 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and they host Benin Republic on the final day of the campaign.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

El-Kanemi suffer first defeat, as Kun Khalifat get first win

Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    El-Kanemi Warriors FC got their first taste of defeat of the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League season, as the fell to Kun Khalifat FC away from home, in a lively showdown at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, South-East, Nigeria. The highly anticipated game kicked off, with the home fans turning up in numbers to support their team and the hosts wasted no time in showing their intent as they started brightly, creating two clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, coming agonizing close to breaking the deadlock.   Kun Khalifat kept knocking and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute as they took the lead, enjoying the comfort of a 1-0 halftime advantage. After the restart, El-Kanemi Warriors responded with fierce determination, leveling the scoreline, with the first play of the second half, as Ebuka Okoro scored a stunning volley to level at 1-all.   The celebrations were short-li...
Read more

National Sports Commission reassigns Federations and Associations Secretary Generals

Image
...Rita Mosindi of athIetics moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball now to serve as Zonal Coordinator South-South  ...Ejiro Thukson of scrabble now in chess as Ikhana Mbora leaves Lagos to serve as Deputy Director, Federation - FEAD By Maxwell Kumoye      The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reassigned Secretary Generals of the various National Sports Federations and Associations. Rita Mosindi of AthIetics has been moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball is now the Coordinator of the NSC in the South-South zone, in Benin. While the scribe of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mrs Ejiro Thukson has been moved to the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF). AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), will now be handled by Inwang Israel Mfon, formerly with Mixed Martial Arts.  Olalekan Faseesin of Teqball takes over Boxing Federation from Dapo Akinyele and Anusa Agoga Victor of Wheelchair Tennis Federation is now the scribe of Nigeria Scrabble Fe...
Read more

World record holder Amusan breeze into the women's 100m hurdles semi final

Image
...Records joint fifth fast qualifying time with Masai Russell ...Ajayi, Okon in search of slots in men's 100m, as Okezie, Ogazi begins Tokyo expedition today  By Maxwell Kumoye        Women's world record holder Tobi Amusan comfortably cruised into the semi final of the 100m on Sunday morning in Tokyo, Japan at the ongoing World Athletics Championships. Running in the final heat of the race, Amusan produced a quick start off the block that included heavyweights like Devynne Charlton and Elena Carraro to finish in 12.53s without dropping a sweat. Devynne Charlton came second in 12.69s and Elena Carraro in 12.86s which was enough to see them through to the semi final of Monday. Amusan's timing was the 5th fastest in the six heats on Sunday morning. Jamaica's Danielle Williams topped with her 12.40s in heat 2 ahead of Grace Stark in 12.46s, Nadine Visser 12.48s and Pia Skrzyszowska 12.51s. Masai Russell, running in heat 1 also stopped the clock the sam...
Read more