If everything goes as planned, Nigeria may qualify for the 2026 World Cup if she wins her remaining qualifying matches.
Already, the country has only seven points from six matches, but if she could win her remaining four matches in Group C, against Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Benin, she could qualify with 19 points.
Though South Africa has garnered 13 points, she stands the risk of losing three points, for fielding illegible player. This will bring her point down to 10.
South Africa is accused of breaching Article 19 of FIFA Disciplinary Code (2025 edition), by allegedly fielding an ineligible player.
Article 19 of FIFA’S Disciplinary Code states that “If a player is declared ineligible, the Association’s judicial bodies may impose disciplinary measures, considering the integrity of the competition.”
It again says that “If the ineligibility is discovered following a protest, the team forfeits the match and pays a minimum fine of CHF 6,000.”
South Africa is accused of fielding Midfielder Teboho Mokoena in her match against Lesotho, in March this year.
Mokoena is said to have an accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualifiers, against Benin and Zimbabwe, making him automatically suspended for the fixture against Lesotho.
But despite this, South Africa fielded him, violating FIFA’s eligibility rules. The country won the March 2-0.
The rule states that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee may act ex officio, meaning FIFA can initiate disciplinary action on its own, even if no formal protest is filed.
This means that FIFA does not require Lesotho or any other team to file a complaint.
The football governing body has the authority to investigate and sanction violations independently, especially when the fairness of the competition is at stake.
Following a review of the incident, FIFA is expected to enforce a forfeiture of the match, awarding Lesotho a 3–0 victory and deducting three points from South Africa’s tally.
For Nigeria, this development is a lifeline.
With the expected point deduction from South Africa, Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are no longer theoretical, they are within reach.
The Super Eagles must now focus on winning each of their remaining matches, knowing that the rules have worked in their favour and the path to the global stage is once again open.
