Bafana Bafana's World Cup dream closer than ever! Bad news for Nigeria & Benin as FIFA issues disciplinary sanctions for the qualifiers

Bafana Bafana's Teboho Mokoena wasn't supposed to feature for Hugo Broos's side against Lesotho in Group C's FIFA World Cup qualifier played in March.  

Having been cautioned in the initial matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, respectively, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder wasn't supposed to play against the Crocodiles.

However, South Africa failed to realise and went ahead to play the 28-year-old in the 2-0 win. 

Lesotho have been asking FIFA to dock Bafana Bafana points for fielding Mokoena, who, at that time, was suspended.

The Crocodiles even went to the extent of threatening to protest Mokoena's inclusion in their most recent game against their visitors, who managed to register a 3-0 win. 

Nigeria's Super Eagles were riding on that hope as well, asking FIFA to act since it was an obvious mistake by their rivals.

Benin, who are on 14 points in Group C, three less than leaders South Africa, joined the aforementioned duo to pressure the football administrators to act.

Recently, FIFA hinted that they have no intention of deducting Bafana Bafana three points for the Mokoena blunder.

Neither Lesotho nor Nigeria filed an official complaint as rules dictate, explaining why action hasn't been taken against South Africa. 

Recently, FIFA released a list of the latest disciplinary sanctions for the qualifying campaign of the FIFA World Cup 26, and South Africa are not there.

With two rounds remaining to conclude the qualifiers, Bafana Bafana need just a point against Zimbabwe in their next game to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first since 2010 when they hosted it.

Nigeria are six points behind Broos' team and needed FIFA to act for them to get a chance, the same way as Lesotho.

Nevertheless, their wishes might not be granted as Bafana Bafana look set to play in the global competition to be jointly held by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.