Ineligible Player: CAS upholds FIFA’s 3 points deduction on Equatorial Guinea, South Africa sweats

Equatorial Guinea’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been dealt a major blow after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld FIFA’s decision to dock the team three points for fielding captain Emilio Nsue, who was ruled ineligible.

The ruling reshapes Group H, where Namibia now gain ground at the expense of Equatorial Guinea. The deduction leaves the Nzalang Nacional’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
But the fallout is not limited to Group H.

In Group C, South Africa are facing growing anxiety over a similar case. Reports suggest Bafana Bafana also fielded an ineligible player during the qualifiers, sparking fears that they too could face a points deduction.

So far, FIFA has not confirmed any sanction against South Africa, but the precedent set with Equatorial Guinea has intensified concerns. Any deduction could dramatically alter Group C, where South Africa are battling Nigeria, Rwanda, and Lesotho for the top spot.

The twin controversies underline FIFA’s hard stance on player eligibility, with disciplinary rulings threatening to reshape Africa’s road to the 2026 World Cup.