Nigeria, Sept. 29 -- The World football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a world cup qualifier.

Although South Africa defeated Lesotho in the match played on 21 March, FIFA on Monday ruled that South Africa forfeited the match and therefore lost 3-0.

The South African Football Association was also ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Mokoena was issued with a warning.

The declaration means South Africa now have 14 points in Group C instead of the 17 they had before the FIFA ruling.

Benin remains second in the group but also with 14 points while Nigeria is third with 11 points.

With two matches still to play for each team, Monday's ruling boosts the c...