South Africa faces a potential 3-point deduction in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after allegedly fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho last week.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena may have been ineligible to play in the crucial Matchday 5 game against Lesotho after accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches (against Benin and Zimbabwe).
According to FIFA rules, a player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-match suspension, meaning Mokoena should not have played in the Lesotho match.
However, Mokoena was included in the starting lineup and played 81 minutes in the Lesotho match. If confirmed, this could violate FIFA’s qualification regulations, leading to a potential points deduction for South Africa.
The issue is tied to FIFA’s World Cup Qualifiers Rulebook, sub-section 9, which mandates a one-match suspension for players with two yellow cards.
If Mokoena’s ineligibility is confirmed, South Africa could lose the 3 points from their 2-0 win over Lesotho.
South Africa currently leads Group C with 13 points, ahead of Rwanda (8 points) and Benin (8 points).
A points deduction would reduce Bafana Bafana’s total points tally to 10, making the race for automatic qualification tighter, especially with Nigeria (7 points) also in contention.
However, they might avoid this penalty because Lesotho failed to lodge a formal protest within FIFA’s stipulated 24-hour window after the match.
While the points deduction could still be a possibility, South Africa may instead face alternative penalties, such as a fine.

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South Africa might lose 3 points in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers because they played a player who should have been suspended. The player got two yellow cards in previous matches, which means he should have missed the game against Lesotho. If this is true, South Africa could lose the points they won in that game. This could make it harder for South Africa to qualify for the World Cup. But, they might not get the deduction if Lesotho didn't complain in time. They might have to pay a fine instead.

South Africa Faces 3-Point Deduction In FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The Warriors came from behind for the second game in a row to claim a share of the spoils against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Zimbabwe refused to be bullied in the heat and humidity of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and proved that, under German tactician Michael Nees, they are now hard to beat.
Playing in front of 30,000 spectators at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday night, super-sub Tawanda Chirewa scored a stoppage-time equaliser for the Warriors after Zimbabwe had fallen behind with 16 minutes still to play.
The Warriors were indebted to goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who kept the team in the game during Nigeria’s 20-minute sustained attack on Zimbabwe’s goal in the first half.
With just eight minutes on the clock, Arubi dived to his right to deny Victor Osimhen from a point-blank header that was headed for his right.
Two minutes later, Arubi thwarted the striker’s shot on the turn and also stopped Samuel Chukwueze’s follow-up.
The goals came in the second half, when, first, Osimhen was left unattended and nodded home the opener from the blind side.
Then, after an on-rushing Knowledge Musona, who was unmarked, crashed his effort against the underside of the crossbar, Chirewa scored from an acute angle after a clever run into the Nigerian penalty box.
It’s the second time Zimbabwe has managed to rescue a point in five days in the same competition, having staged another massive comeback, drawing 2-2 against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last Thursday after being 2-0 down.
South Africa is now in full control of Group C after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Benin at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams both found the back of the net in the second half to secure the victory, which takes Hugo Broos’ charges to 13 points from six matches.
Rwanda and Benin sit in joint second in Group C on eight points, while Nigeria has seven points. Lesotho has six points, while Zimbabwe has four points.
Teams:
Nigeria:
Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, William Troost Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi (Raphiel Onyenika 78 min) Samuel Chukwueze (Bulu Arokodale 59 min), Moses Simon; Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimehn (Victor Boniface 86 min)
Zimbabwe:
Washington Arubi, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga, Munashe Garananga, Gerald Takwara, Marshall Munetsi, Andy Rinomhota (Tawanda Maswanhise 84 min), Jordan Zemura, Khama Billiat (Prince Dube 84 min), Knowledge Musona (Terrence Dzvukamanja 62 min), Walter Musona (Tawanda Chirewa 80 min).

Zimbabwe's soccer team, the Warriors, managed to tie the game against Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers. Despite falling behind, they fought hard and scored a goal in stoppage time to make it 1-1. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi made crucial saves to keep the team in the game. This is the second time in five days that Zimbabwe has come back from behind to rescue a point in the competition. South Africa won their game to take control of Group C, while Zimbabwe is in fourth place with four points.

Resilient Warriors Hold Nigeria To A 1-1 Draw In Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has purchased all 30,000 tickets for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on March 25 to mobilize support for the Super Eagles.
As a result, fans will not need to buy tickets to attend the match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement on Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, announced:
<blockquote>
In line with his determination and promise to mobilise support for the victory of the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has purchased 30,000 tickets for football fans and supporters ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualification match scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
</blockquote>
Eno has listed several distribution centers for the free tickets to Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.
Fans can pick up their tickets at all local radio stations, De Venus Bar and Restaurant on Stadium Road, Uyo Township Stadium, Ibom Plaza, and other previous ticket sales outlets.
The Super Eagles are currently in a challenging position in the qualifiers, with just six points from five matches, leaving them in fourth place in Group C.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Warriors find themselves at the bottom of the group with three points, having yet to secure a win.
Nigeria earned their only victory of the campaign on Friday, defeating Rwanda, while Zimbabwe remains winless in their quest for World Cup qualification.
More: <a href="https://punchng.com/akwa-ibom-offers-free-tickets-for-super-eagles-vs-zimbabwe-match/">Punch</a>

The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, bought all 30,000 tickets for the World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe to support the Super Eagles. This means fans can attend the match for free at the stadium. Tickets can be picked up at various locations in the state. The Super Eagles are in fourth place in their group, while Zimbabwe is at the bottom. Nigeria won their last match, but Zimbabwe has yet to win. The game is on March 25, 2025.

Nigerian Politician Buys All 30,000 Tickets For World Cup Qualifier Against Zimbabwe

The government has offered the Warriors a US$300,000 reward for winning their two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria during the ongoing international break.
In a statement released on Thursday, March 20, ahead of the Warriors’ 2-2 draw against Benin, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced that the reward would be shared among the players, coaching staff, and support team.
Zimbabwe’s failure to defeat Benin earlier on Thursday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, means the Warriors missed out on the US$150,000 reward for a win. ZIFA said:
<blockquote>
The Government of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to national football by extending significant financial support to the Zimbabwe senior men’s national team, the Warriors, ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In recognition of the team’s efforts and as a gesture of encouragement, His Excellency, President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, has offered a winning bonus of US$150 000 to the players, technical team and support staff, for each victory in their upcoming matches against Benin on March 20 and Nigeria on March 25.
This means that, over and above the US$1 million set aside by the Government for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Finals, the Warriors stand to earn an extra US$ 300,000, should they secure wins in both fixtures.
</blockquote>
ZIFA further said this financial support highlights the government’s strong commitment to the growth and success of football in Zimbabwe, as well as to the Warriors’ aspirations for World Cup qualification.
Next, the Warriors will travel to Uyo, Nigeria, to face the Super Eagles at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday, March 25.

The government is giving the Zimbabwe national soccer team a bonus of US$300,000 if they win their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria. They missed out on half of the money because they only drew with Benin. The money will be shared among the players, coaches, and support staff. This shows that the government is supporting the team and their goal to qualify for the World Cup. Next, they will play against Nigeria in their next match.

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