‘We did something bad... but’ – South Africa coach hoping to escape punishment for fielding ineligible player

The World Cup qualifiers have been full of twists, but South Africa and Nigeria are involved in the biggest one yet.

Ahead of a crucial match against Nigeria, Head coach Hugo Broos admitted his team fielded an ineligible player, yet he insists FIFA cannot punish them.

Broos did not sugarcoat the situation, openly admitting that the rules were broken. “We did something bad, but there was no complaint and the rule says if there's no complaint, there's nothing,” he explained, clearly aware of the fine line his team is walking.

The issue centres on midfielder Tebogho Mokoena, who was fielded against Lesotho despite being ineligible due to a suspension.

Normally, that would be an automatic three-point deduction and a 3-0 loss awarded to the opponent, but FIFA has yet to act. Broos, however, is clinging to the technicalities.

“How can you punish someone when there’s no complaint?” he asked, stressing that the governing body should simply move on. He also urged FIFA to resist what he described as pressure from Nigeria, who have been vocal about demanding punishment.

The delay in FIFA’s decision has left the group standings in suspense. South Africa currently lead the pack with 13 points, followed by Benin and Rwanda with eight apiece, while Nigeria sit fourth with only seven.

If a sanction is enforced, Bafana Bafana could lose their cushion at the top, and the whole qualification race would be blown wide open.

Nigeria’s hopes hinge on two crucial games in September, starting with Rwanda before a decisive showdown against South Africa just three days later.

Whether those matches are routine or make-or-break depends on FIFA’s final call, leaving an entire continent watching closely.