A ray of hope has emerged for Nigeria after FIFA handed South Africa a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Via a press release, FIFA stated that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding Teboho Mokoena in the South Africa vs. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This was deemed a breach of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a result, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has ruled the match to be forfeited by South Africa, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory.
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Former Super Eagles internationals Mutiu Adepoju and Garba Lawal, who spoke exclusively to Footy-Africa, have reacted to the development, describing it as a lifeline for Nigeria. Both men famously scored in Nigeria’s 3-2 win over Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
“Looking at it now, Nigeria has a mathematically possible chance to make it to the World Cup, oh,” Adepoju said. “I hope you understand what I mean by mathematically because it has not been good so far.
“When you look at South Africa and Benin, they are now on the same points, and we still have to play them. It is just unfortunate how the qualifiers have gone because by now the coast should have been clear for us. However, FIFA has now given Nigeria a lifeline, but we must win all our games and hope other results go our way,” he concluded.
For Lawal, the deduction was no surprise, but he insists the Super Eagles must now take responsibility:
“I am not surprised about the deduction of the three points from South Africa by FIFA. It is what I expected, so I am not surprised. But the truth is, deduction or no deduction, the most important thing is for the players to step up their game and win the remaining matches. The deduction is good, but it will not make any sense if we fail to qualify.”
Meanwhile, SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena received a formal warning. The decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
As it is now, Benin top the group with 14 points, same with South Africa but ahead on goals difference.
Nigeria are three points behind in third place as the last leg of the qualifiers is set for October where Nigeria will face Lesotho (away) and then round up the qualifiers with a home game against Benin.
