Benin Join Calls for Bafana Points Deduction

Benin have become the latest national team to demand that FIFA deduct points from Bafana Bafana.

The dispute stems from South Africa’s decision to field Teboho Mokoena in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March. The 28-year-old midfielder was ineligible to play but still featured in the 2–0 victory for Bafana.

Lesotho lodged a protest after the match, but FIFA ruled that the complaint had not been submitted within the required 24-hour deadline. Nigeria soon followed, calling for South Africa to be docked points. Now Benin have also added their voice.

The West Africans climbed to second place in Group C after a 4–0 win over Lesotho. A three-point deduction for Bafana would put them level with Benin on 14 points, potentially changing the group’s outcome.

“Thank you, CAF Online, for congratulating us on our victory. We kindly request a fair review: please reconsider the three-point deduction against South Africa and respect suspension rules. Let the spirit of the game decide qualification,” Benin posted on social media.

Benin head coach Gernot Rohr praised his side’s performance and expressed confidence in their chances of topping the group.

“With 14 points, we not only have the chance to finish first in the group, but we can also end up among the best runners-up,” Rohr told Soccernet Nigeria. “The team is balanced; it does not concede goals, it fights together, and we have technical resources. Young players are gaining confidence, and we have hope — without being overly optimistic.”

Looking ahead, Rohr said his team were prepared for their remaining fixtures. “We know Rwanda and Nigeria well, the latter of which we’ve already beaten. As for their qualification chances, if they’re no longer in the running, maybe it will be less difficult.”