Rwanda coach Adel Amrouche has refused to speak about the ongoing storm surrounding South Africa’s potential three-point deduction in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria hosts Rwanda in qualifying match in Uyo, today Saturday and Amrouche, who spoke to the media at the pre-match conference, insisted that he will not comment on the subject.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena wrongly featured in the qualifier against Lesotho despite carrying two yellow cards.
Media reports say that Lesotho lodged a formal protest with FIFA to argue that South Africa should forfeit the points from the match.
While FIFA’s ruling is still pending, Amrouche – who previously served a FIFA ban himself – warned against the dangers of speaking out publicly on African football governance.
“This is Africa, you know the politics,” Amrouche told reporters. “I don’t want to say anything so they don’t ban me again.”
The Rwanda boss chose instead to focus on his team’s preparations for the must-win encounter against Nigeria.
South Africa remains in a strong position in the group after a 3-0 win over Lesotho Friday night. Their next match is on Tuesday against Nigeria in Bloemfontein.
FIFA’s final decision on the South African three points could, of course, reshape the complexion of Group C- and by extension, Nigeria and Rwanda’s chances of advancing to the 2026 World Cup.
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South Africa beat Lesotho 3-0 to maintain lead and extend pressure on Nigeria
It was nothing short of expectation as Mohau Nkota put Bafana Bafana ahead in the 15th minute with a controlled volley across goal from a narrow angle.
Lyle Foster made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute, tapping in the rebound after Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane could only parry Aubrey Modiba’s strike into the air, and the Burnley striker set up the third for Oswin Appollis four minutes later.
Republic of Benin remain three points behind the South Africans in second place after a second-half header from Steve Mounie was enough to see off Zimbabwe.
South Africa have not played at the World Cup since hosting in 2010 yet their status at the summit of Group C remains in doubt in the long term.
World governing body FIFA is still to rule on South Africa erroneously fielding Teboho Mokoena in a 2-0 home win over neighbours Lesotho in March when the midfielder should have sat out game through suspension.
South Africa admit their mistake but say that because their opponents did not protest, they will not lose the three points.
“We did something bad, we did something we shouldn’t do, but there was no complaint,” coach Hugo Broos said this week when questioned on the matter.
Continental heavyweights Nigeria are now nine points behind South Africa but can close that gap when they host Rwanda on Saturday.
The Super Eagles then travel to Bloemfontein to take on the group leaders on Tuesday.
Only the nine group winners are assured of a place in the finals hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States next year, but the four best second-place African sides will have another chance to pick up a ticket via play-offs and an intercontinental qualifier.
BBC report
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