Togo and Ethiopia have admitted fielding ineligible players in World Cup qualifying matches this month, facing imminent point deductions by FIFA. After crucially beating South Africa to clinch a place in the final qualifiers, Ethiopia admitted ‘making a mistake' by fielding the suspended Minyahil Beyene in the 3-0 win over Botswana earlier this month. Similarly, Togo officials admitted that midfielder Alexis Romao should not have played in the 2-0 win over Cameroon in the same round. Subsequently, both teams are almost certain to lose the three points of the respective games, which means Botswana and Cameroon will be declared winners. Should the ruling be imposed by FIFA, Group A leaders Ethiopia will remain two points ahead of South Africa before they visit Central African Republic in the final round. On the other hand, it would allow Cameroon snatch top spot of Group I from current leaders Libya ahead of the final round. Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria have already booked their places in the final qualifiers which will see the ten group leaders contest in the two-legged playoffs.
