Amavubi’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a major boost on Monday, September 29, when world football governing body, FIFA, imposed sanctions against the South Africa FA after Bafana Bafana fielded Teboho Mokoena in their 2026 World Cup Group C qualifier against Lesotho on March 21. Mokoena, 28, had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers – first against Benin in November 2023 and then against Zimbabwe in June 2024 – which, under FIFA rules, triggered a one-match ban. Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee declared the match in question to have been forfeited by South Africa by a score of 3-0 after he was used in their 2-1 win over Lesotho regardless of the suspension. The country was also fined $12,000 (approximately RWF 16 million) as part of the sanctions. FIFA’s latest decision to deduct three points from South Africa not only left Benin at the top of Group C, well ahead of Bafana Bafana on goal difference, but also brought both Rwanda and Nigeria back in contention of a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Before the sanction, South Africa topped the table with 17 points and an eight-goal difference, followed by Benin on 14 points, while Nigeria and Rwanda trailed with 11 points former has a +2 goal difference. Rwanda has two remaining qualifying fixtures in October where they will host Benin in Kigali on October 10 before visiting South Africa on October 14. Two wins will move them to 17 points but they must also hope that both Benin and South Africa falter in their remaining fixtures against Zimbabwe. Under FIFA’s new qualifying format for Africa, the four best runners-up across the nine groups will advance to a CAF playoff, with the winners moving into an intercontinental playoff for a final spot. Menwhile, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are also in the chasing pack although Lesotho and Benin standing their way ahead of the October international break. If Nigeria get two wins, they would also to 17 points, but they must also hope that South Africa and Benin falter in their remaining fixtures. South Africa now trail Benin in second place by goal difference as the pair are tied with 14 points apiece. Benin has a lot of chances of qualifying for the World Cup should they win their two remaining qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria which would move them to 20 points enough to finish at the top. The goal difference could, however, prove decisive if Bafana Bafana also win their matches. They will host bottom-placed Zimbabwe on October 10 before hosting Rwanda on October 14. Only the group winner is guaranteed an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
