Nigeria, South Africa, 6 other African countries that faced FIFA sanctions in World Cup Qualifiers

Over the years, African shot has seen respective countries punished with points deductions oregon sanctions during FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The latest incidental came successful 2025 erstwhile South Africa were penalized for fielding an ineligible subordinate against Lesotho.

Such punishments, ranging from fielding suspended players to administrative blunders, person often shaped the qualification journeys of teams, sometimes crushing dreams of reaching the planetary stage.

Here are 8 African countries that person been deed with FIFA sanctions and however it affected their campaigns.

1. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers collapsed aft FIFA discovered that Emilio Nsue, who had antecedently represented Spain astatine younker level, played without completing a nationality switch.

The squad had to forfeit games, mislaid invaluable points, and paid fines—ending their hopes of advancing beyond the 2nd round.

2. Sudan

In 2012, Sudan were stripped of 3 points successful the 2014 qualifiers aft fielding Saif Ali, who was suspended.

What was initially a triumph implicit Zambia was overturned into a 3-0 defeat, giving their rivals the precocious manus successful a choky group. The punishment near Sudan’s World Cup dreams successful tatters.

3. Ethiopia

Ethiopia faced a three-point deduction successful the 2014 qualifiers for utilizing Minyahil Teshome portion helium was suspended.

At the time, Ethiopia topped their group, and the authorisation astir derailed their campaign. Despite the setback, they managed to scope the playoff stage, keeping their qualification bid alive.

4. Togo

Togo’s 2014 qualifiers took a immense deed erstwhile FIFA sanctioned them for fielding Alaixys Romao, who should person been suspended.

The points from their triumph implicit Cameroon were handed backmost to the Indomitable Lions with a 3-0 result. The stroke efficaciously ended Togo’s already slim chances of progressing.

5. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso were docked 3 points during the 2014 qualifiers aft an ineligible subordinate featured successful their crippled against Congo.

Although they inactive showed flashes of quality, the distraction and fines undermined their run and stalled their propulsion for a maiden World Cup appearance.

6. Gabon

Gabon’s qualification tally successful 2014 besides suffered a large setback erstwhile FIFA deducted points for fielding an ineligible player.

The punishment handed their opponents a 3-0 triumph and snuffed retired Gabon’s chances of advancing successful a hard radical that included Morocco.

7. Nigeria

The Super Eagles were not spared either. In 2017, Nigeria fielded Shehu Abdullahi successful a qualifier against Algeria contempt his suspension.

Though the crippled ended 1-1, FIFA awarded Algeria a 3-0 win. Fortunately for Nigeria, the authorisation did not derail their campaign: they had already sealed qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

8. South Africa

In March 2025, South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena successful a 2-0 triumph implicit Lesotho contempt his ineligibility.

FIFA overturned the effect into a 3-0 loss, docked them 3 points, and imposed a CHF 10,000 fine. The punishment dropped Bafana Bafana beneath Benin Republic successful Group C, making their roadworthy to 2026 qualification overmuch tougher.

Vanguard News

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