NewStats: 3,262,312 , 8,176,780 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 06:43 PM 3p3h9

FIFA will award three points and three goals to Lesotho following South Africa's 2-0 win in their 2026 World Cup qualifier match, after South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Theboho Mokoena.

Mokoena was meant to serve a suspension after receiving two yellow cards in previous matches, against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe, yet he played in the match in Polokwane.

As a result, South Africa forfeits the three points from the game and is also penalized with the addition of three goals for Lesotho.

Despite Lesotho initially filing a complaint with FIFA over the matter, rumors suggest the complaint may have been withdrawn.
Nigerian football lawyer Jonas Michael shared a similar experience, recalling that Nigeria suffered the same penalty in 2018 after fielding an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, in a dead rubber World Cup qualifier against Algeria. FIFA awarded Algeria three points and three goals in accordance with the rules, even though Algeria did not file a protest.

Michael explained that the rules are clear, stating, “If you’re South African, just deduct three points from your team’s tally. I expect people from Lesotho to do the same. There’s no need for a protest or a specific time to lodge one. FIFA’s decision follows the established rules, and the punishment is clear.”

He also responded to claims in South Africa that technicalities might work in their favor, saying, “That’s not true. South Africa has lost those points, and they’ll be deducted three goals. A fine is likely to follow as well.”

This ruling has reshaped the group standings, leaving the race to qualify for the World Cup wide open. Zimbabwe, now at the bottom, is just four points behind South Africa, who remain at the top with four matches remaining.


https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/world-cup-qualifiers-south-africa-lose-3-points-3-goals-for-fielding-ineligible-player-against-lesotho.html

Wow.. but will this news make Super eagles qualify .. oya NFF let's do the calculus

Super Eagles, in their power play against Finidi, dug their own grave by deliberately losing & drawing cheap matches against tiny teams.

They thought it was still the era of unserious African football where they will wake up midway and still qualify.


If Nigeria does not make the World cup, Osimhen, Ndidi, Lookman, Simon, Ekong, Iheanacho and all the strong men of the squad that kept missing sitters against Lesotho & Benin should be executed at Bar Beach alongside Wike for treason.

TinubuCriminal:
Super Eagles, in their power play against Finidi, dug their own grave by deliberately losing & drawing cheap matches against tiny teams.

They thought it was still the era of unserious African football where they will wake up midway and still qualify.


If Nigeria does not make the World cup, Osimhen, Ndidi, Lookman, Simon, Ekong, Iheanacho and all the strong men of the squad that kept missing sitters against Lesotho & Benin should be executed at Bar Beach alongside Wike for treason.

This is extreme violence

Bang on. 3 points deduction.

Truth or mere rumour?

Dem go still shame una

So Lesotho don us...we are now 2nd to last in the group

I will take FIFA serious when i see South Africa point drop to 10 from their current 13points.
Also read on Twitter that Lesotho claimed they will reject any point being deducted from South Africa in the name of awarding it to them.
The most confusing part of all is another media permutation claiming that, if Lesotho rejects 3 points deducted from South Africa, the said point would be handed over to Nigeria.

The hardest truth is that Nigeria don too Bleep low on this journey by playing 4 draws, winning only 1 game and losing one game.

Funniest thing be say i trust my 9ja people, because they will keep on praying to God for other teams to lose point forgetting the fact that those countries too have the same God we worship here.


Advice: Plan well because it pays to be proactive. The purpose of praying to God is to crown our effort but not to help you score goal. Faith without hard work is hallucination.

WantsandMore:
This is extreme violence

I mean, that was TOO EXTREM and should be strongly condemned.

Super Chicken I hope you will fly again.

Nlfpmod come rejoice with us na!

TinubuCriminal:
Super Eagles, in their power play against Finidi, dug their own grave by deliberately losing & drawing cheap matches against tiny teams.

They thought it was still the era of unserious African football where they will wake up midway and still qualify.


If Nigeria does not make the World cup, Osimhen, Ndidi, Lookman, Simon, Ekong, Iheanacho and all the strong men of the squad that kept missing sitters against Lesotho & Benin should be executed at Bar Beach alongside Wike for treason.

If Simon and Chukweze can just stop their showboating and get the ball in the opponents boxes more frequently, then we might have a chance.

For a misfiring team like the Eagles who is yet to have a coordinated attack, you may need at least 40 crosses or inswingers to get just one goal. That means you don have time to dribble or to defenders at the back. Just get the ball in the opponents red zones.

Na their back gan gan dey always vex me. You are looking for a goal, time is ticking, dem give you ball for attacking area of midfield, you carry ball dey go defenders for back.

Where is the sense of urgency and why then are you an offensive midfielder?

Fake news. Stop posting lies and cheap rumors .