South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has accused Nigeria of applying pressure on FIFA to penalize his country as his side risks losing three points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. South Africa fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho in one of their games.
Bafana Bafana currently sit top of Group C with 13 points from six matches but could get a heavy sanction of three points deduction after midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured in their 2-0 win against Lesotho when he was meant to be serving a suspension.
Mokoena had collected yellow cards in separate qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe, which under FIFA rules should have triggered a one-match ban.
However, the midfielder played 82 minutes of the match in Polokwane before being substituted.
FIFA regulations stipulate that players who accumulate two cautions in different qualifiers must serve a suspension in the following game.
The Lesotho Football Association has since lodged a formal protest with FIFA, raising the prospect of South Africa forfeiting the match and handing the points to Lesotho.
The Nigeria Football Federation, we understand have also checked on FIFA concerning the Lesotho protest. Nigeria can only send a reminder to the world football body as they do not have a direct stake in that particular match.
At a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday, Broos did not deny the error but turned his frustration towards Nigeria, who he claimed were attempting to profit from the situation off the pitch.
“If there will be a moment that we lose three points, okay then, we lose the three points,” Broos complained in a video shared by Diskifans.
“We can’t do anything about that decision. But I always said that rules are to be followed. And the rule is, okay, we did something bad. We did something we couldn’t do. But there was no complains. And the rule says if there is no complain, there is nothing.
“And it is not because a third or a fourth team who is indirectly involved in that, that they have to push and do everything to make us lose the three points.”
South Africa’s position in the group could be significantly affected if FIFA imposes the penalty.
A deduction would cut their lead at the top, leaving Benin and Rwanda closer on their tails. Nigeria, currently fourth with seven points, stand to benefit most from any decision that alters the standings.
Nigeria will host Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa three days later as the Super Eagles desperately try to claw their way back into the competition.
The disciplinary matter now rests with FIFA’s committee, which will weigh Lesotho’s complaint against the strict timelines for lodging protests.
Article 8 of FIFA’s regulations makes clear that any eligibility protests must be submitted within two hours of a match and followed up within 24 hours – otherwise they can be disregarded.
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