FIFAWCQ: South Africa’s deduction of points too late for Benin – Rohr

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has claimed the decision by the World governing body FIFA to deduct South Africa three points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after fielding an ineligible player, has come too late for his side in the qualifiers.

Bafana were deducted points and fined by FIFA after fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on March 21, despite the 28-year-old being on a one-match suspension for accumulating two yellow cards.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0, while Mokoena was issued with a warning. FIFA further fined the South African Football Association (SAFA) 10,000 Swiss Francs (about 12,540 U.S. dollars).

Benin will next face Rwanda at Amahoro Stadium

“The decision of FIFA to deduct three points from South Africa is a logical one but it’s coming very late, six months already that they had to do it,” Rohr said on Brila FM as quoted by Complete Sports.

“Now we have two games to play, two very difficult games away in Rwanda and against Nigeria in Uyo. South Africa play their last two games at home which means they will play seven home matches (in the qualifiers) out of 10 because Lesotho and Zimbabwe play their home matches in South Africa. But we will try to qualify and remain humble.”

Following the deduction of points, moved top of Group C with 14 points, the same points as South Africa, who are second, Nigeria remained third on 11 points, same as fourth placed Rwanda.

Benin will next face Rwanda at Amahoro Stadium on Friday, October 10, before they winmd up their preliminary matches away to Nigeria at Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday, October 14.

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