Bafana could still have a chance to qualify for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil should Ethiopia be found guilty for fielding an ineligible player

Bafana Bafana’s dream to Brazil may be over after their 2-1 loss to Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, but things could change should the Ethiopians be found guilty for fielding an ineligible player believed to be Minyahile Beyene.

Minyahile received his first yellow card against Bafana in South Africa last year and he was again booked in the first leg of Botswana-Ethiopia game, and therefore should have been suspended for the return leg against the Zebras, but he played.

Fifa have confirmed on their website immediately after Sunday’s World Cup qualifier games that the Ethiopians are amongst the three member associations that will face the music for fielding ineligible players.

Read more on Igesund: Bafana gave it their all against Ethiopia

“FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against three member associations for each having allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

“The Ethiopian Football Association allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the match between Botswana and Ethiopia on 8 June 2013,” read the statement on the Fifa website.

Although the Ethiopians will not be disqualified if found guilty, they will certainly forfeit the three points that they gained against Botswana, and therefore bringing the gap between them and South Africa to two points going into the final game.

Read more on Match Report: Ethiopia 2-1 South Africa

The Ethiopians could find themselves on 10 points, with Bafana two points behind them while Botswana will definitely jump CAR to third with 7 points.

Bafana would then need to beat Botswana at home, but they will have to rely on CAR to beat Ethiopia in the final match, if they are to qualify for the playoffs of the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.



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