World football governing body FIFA has sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, a decision that has sparked contrasting reactions from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the South African Football Association (SAFA).

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled on Monday that South Africa’s 2–0 victory over Lesotho on 21 March in Polokwane be overturned and recorded as a 3–0 defeat. The sanction drops Bafana Bafana to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain in fifth position.

Reacting to the development, NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the decision was expected. “It is true. Surely, it is no more than we expected,” he said. The ruling could potentially boost Nigeria’s chances in the qualifiers, as the Super Eagles share the same group.

The committee found that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup preliminary competition regulations by fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible after receiving two yellow cards in earlier fixtures against Benin and Zimbabwe.

In addition to forfeiting the match, SAFA was fined 10,000 Swiss francs (about $12,536), while Mokoena received a formal warning. FIFA said the parties have ten days to request a written, reasoned decision. If requested, the ruling may be appealed before the FIFA Appeals Committee.

By contrast, SAFA expressed “deep disappointment” and described the sanction as unprecedented. In a statement, the association argued: “The outcome was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording us an opportunity to present legal arguments.”

SAFA confirmed that it has requested written reasons for the decision and will file an appeal within the stipulated ten-day window. It also reaffirmed its support for the national team, noting that the players and coaching staff had worked hard to remain competitive.

“The players and technical team have worked hard. We remain focused on securing maximum points in the matches ahead,” SAFA said.

South Africa will host Zimbabwe on 10 October in Durban, before facing Rwanda on 14 October in Mbombela. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.