There has been plenty of debate around Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following FIFA’s decision to open an investigation against South Africa.
Bafana Bafana are being probed for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a World Cup qualifier.
The case stems from South Africa’s 2–0 win over Lesotho on March 21, 2025, in Polokwane. Mokoena, who played in that match, was supposed to be serving a suspension after picking up yellow cards against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024
According to FIFA rules, two yellow cards in separate games should result in a one-match ban.
If FIFA rules against South Africa, they could be docked three points and three goals. While that could give Nigeria a slim lifeline, 1996 Olympic gold-winning goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro believes it may already be too late.
“How does it affect us? It just simply means our catch-up distance might be reduced, but the big question should be: can we catch up? As a Nigerian, I would love to say yes, but the analytics on the ground do not support my hope. So I will pray that something incredible happens to see us qualify, but the signs are not good.” he said in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa.
Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ezeji was even more blunt, stressing that the players’ lack of commitment has left Nigeria in a precarious position.
“In all honesty, we did not cover ourselves in glory and things are not right in our football. When you look at other teams with 16 or 15 points, and we are grappling with 11 points, it is such a shame,” he noted talking exclusively to Footy-Africa.
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Ezeji pointed to Nigeria’s complacency in earlier games, saying the team always assumed there was more time:
“We kept saying we had eight more games, then six, then four. Now there are only two left. I do not think we will make it to the World Cup, not even as one of the best second-placed teams.”
For him, the problem goes beyond results to the attitude of the players.
“This boils down to the attitude of the players. They have not shown that Nigerian mentality when it comes to qualifiers. These boys do not even know how Nigerians feel about our games, whether competitive or friendly. Nigerians want to win every game. Sometimes we might not play well, but we just want to win. If we had taken our chances, we should have been up there. But the players were too relaxed. The Super Eagles have become a rehab centre as we no longer invite players based on current form,” he noted.
Ezeji, who played 20 seasons in the NPFL, also criticised the Nigeria Football Federation for failing to act when South Africa’s opponents were forced to host their “home” games in South Africa.
“The NFF showed laxity. Opponents were playing their home games in South Africa, and nobody protested. South Africa were playing home and away at home.”
Looking at the table, Ezeji feels Nigeria’s chances are hanging by a thread.
“They have taken the slot for the group. If anything happens, maybe it will be the second-placed position, but it will be sad because the top two teams hardly drop points. We need a miracle, a miracle of the century to qualify,” he added.
