Benin coach Rohr still angry over FIFA sanction delay

Benin coach Gernot Rohr continued his criticism of FIFA’s tardiness over sanctions for South Africa but also added he felt the three-point fine for Bafana could galvanise his Benin side to finish top of the standings and qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Rohr had been critical ahead of the seventh and eighth round of qualifiers in early September that nothing had been done by FIFA over the fielding by South Africa of defaulter Teboho Mokoena in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.

He was aghast and frustrated at the time that no action had been taken and it was only after the September qualifiers that FIFA said it would be charging South Africa, announcing on Monday a three-point deduction and a 10 000 Swiss Franc fine.

"But what's scandalous is that we wouldn't have played against South Africa in the same way (on 25 March, a 0-2 home defeat in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, due to the lack of an approved stadium).

“In the second half, if a draw had been enough, we might have gone for it instead of trying to win, because we had to come back at them. It's a scandal and it's skewing our qualification," Rohr insisted.

Benin lost both Group C qualifiers to South Africa but now lead the standings on goal difference from Bafana. Both have 14 points.

"But psychologically, it could be interesting, because they've (South Africa) taken a blow to the head, and we can be galvanised," Rohr added.

"We need at least four points, and then we'll see. I've been telling the players for a while that if the law is enforced, we'll get back in the race."

Benin, however, finish their programme with two away games against Rwanda on 10 October and Nigeria on 14 October.

South Africa’s last two matches are against Zimbabwe in an ‘away’ match being played in Durban and then Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium.