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 1-0 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 (SAFA) was also ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Mokoena was issued 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 and South Africa are now tied on 14 points, but the West Africans are ahead with a better goal difference of +4; the Bafana Bafana are on +3. Nigeria remains th...