The South African Football Association (SAFA) has accepted the decision from FIFA to suffer a three points and three goals deduction from their tally after fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho.
A SAFA official stated that they have been in contact with FIFA and have accepted the penalty, expressing regret over the error.
Teboho Mokoena, who should have been suspended because he had received two yellow cards in prior games, played for more than 80 minutes in the game—an oversight that has now proven costly.
“We (Bafana) have to win all the points that we have to play for going forward, and that’s all, to ensure that the team qualifies,” a well-placed source said.
“An error was made, and we can’t be pointing fingers at individuals right now what happened has happened, and we can’t go back. Those points are gone, as tough as that is to accept, but there are more to play for to ensure qualification. An announcement is pending.”
With the deduction, South Africa's lead over Rwanda will decrease from five points to just one, down their point total from 13 to 10. At nine points, Lesotho will take second position.
Nigeria, who are widely considered to be South Africa's primary rivals in the group, will crucially cut the deficit to only three points before their match later this year in Johannesburg.
