On Monday, FIFA announced that Lesotho had been awarded three points and three goals after South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their March 21 qualifier. The sanction leaves Bafana Bafana level on 14 points with Benin, but behind on goal difference.
While Rohr acknowledged the logic of the decision, he questioned why it took so long to enforce. “The decision of FIFA to deduct three points from South Africa is a logical one, but it’s coming very late—six months already that they had to do it,” Rohr told Brila FM.
The German coach noted that the delayed ruling complicates the run-in, with only two rounds of matches left in the qualifiers. Benin face a daunting double-header: an away trip to Rwanda before a decisive clash against Nigeria in Uyo.
Rohr also pointed out what he sees as a structural advantage for South Africa, who will conclude their campaign with two home fixtures. “South Africa play their last two games at home, which means they will play seven home matches out of 10, because Lesotho and Zimbabwe host their home matches in South Africa,” he said. “But we will try to qualify and remain humble.”
The final rounds of Group C promise to be fiercely contested, with Benin, South Africa, and Nigeria all vying for top spot and the automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.