Mokoena Suspension Saga: Nigeria, Benin Demand Action Over Bafana Bafana Selection Row
Confusion continues to hang over Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with rival nations urging FIFA to finally pronounce itself on South Africa’s use of an ineligible player.
Bafana Bafana fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 home win over Lesotho, despite the player having accumulated two yellow cards in earlier matches. According to FIFA rules, he should have been suspended.
Zimbabwewarriorszone.com reports that Benin coach Gernot Rohr has expressed frustration at the governing body’s silence, saying it is unsettling to prepare for this decisive round of qualifiers without clarity on the true standings.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has joined the calls, demanding that FIFA deduct three points from South Africa, arguing the same punishment was applied to Nigeria during the 2018 qualifiers when they fielded an ineligible Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria.
However, FIFA has yet to act — primarily because Lesotho, the directly affected team, did not file a formal protest within the mandatory 48-hour window. That inaction has left the group’s final outcome uncertain.
Fan Reactions
The issue has sparked fiery debates across social media:
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Peter Nyirongo: “I see South Africa going to the World Cup even if 3 points are deducted.”
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Leonel T Mutikani: “Never write off Nigeria — they can still win all their remaining games.”
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Erasmus Viban Yufenyuy: “Nigeria have resorted to playing games off the pitch.”
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Dinego Sonnyboy: “South Africa and Lesotho are like Big Brother and Junior Brother — divided by paper but bound by blood.”
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Thabo Pazel: “First it was free points from Libya, now Nigeria want more freebies!”
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Victor Udoh: “Freebies or not, the law is still the law. Africa will never progress with this kind of sentiment.”
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Alex AN Der: “FIFA punished Nigeria for this in 2018; South Africa must face the same.”
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Ken Marumo: “Rules say a complaint must be filed. Lesotho didn’t, so no case!”
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Precious Obi: “If Nigeria can’t beat Zimbabwe, why bother about South Africa? Win your games.”
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Egbe John Achare: “FIFA should deduct points regardless — rules are rules.”
Some fans, however, mocked Nigeria’s position:
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Siya Calvin: “Even with changes, South Africa stays top, Nigeria falls lower!”
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Ma-Nic Twin: “Nigerians are bullies. By Friday, they’ll cry more.”
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James Jay: “Nigeria had to start counting yellow cards for other teams. Finished!”
What Next?
With few rounds of fixtures left, all teams technically remain in contention. But FIFA’s ruling — or lack of it — could swing the group dramatically.
As Rohr summed it up:
“It is very, very strange. Normally, South Africa should lose three points and they should go to Lesotho. But nobody knows why FIFA has not taken this decision.”
The football world now awaits FIFA’s decision, one that could decide who goes to the World Cup — and who stays home.