Pentouch 
FIFA on Monday 29, September 2025 confirmed the punishment for South Africa, the then leader of Group C, due to the irregular inclusion of Teboho Mokoena in the 2-0 victory over Lesotho on 21 March 2025.
The presence of the midfielder, who should have served a suspension in the fifth-round match,turned the mentioned victory into a 3-0 defeat .
The Bafana Bafana led the group with 17 points and a goal difference of eight. But they now have 14 points and a goal difference of three .This allowed the Benin team to take the top position and ensured the “rebirth” of Nigeria.
Before the punishment, the Super Eagles were six points behind the only team that would qualify directly for the World Cup with two rounds remaining.
