The Nigeria Football Federation have debunked reports circulating in the media that FIFA have cleared South Africa of fielding an ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Mokoena’s Ineligibility
Teboho Mokoena, a key midfielder for Bafana Bafana, allegedly accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers and should have been suspended for the March fixture against Lesotho.
According to FIFA regulations, if an ineligible player competes in a qualifying match, the team he represents can be penalized by losing three points, provided the opposing team submits a protest within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.
There were reports credited to FIFA via their official X handle on Tuesday that South Africa have been cleared of any wrongdoing.
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NFF Yet To Receive Official Communication From FIFA
However, NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire debunked such reports in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, stating that they are yet to receive any official communication from FIFA on the matter.
“There has been no official communication to that effect. What people are reporting is a tweet on their (FIFA) X account. We don’t regard that as official communication,” he said.
2026 WCQ Group C Standings
As it stands, South Africa remain in a strong position to top the group with 17 points from eight matches, while second placed Benin Republic are on 14 points.
Fourth-placed Rwanda are tied on 11 points with Nigeria, while Lesotho (6 points) and Zimbabwe (4 points) complete the six-team table.
5 Comments
It’s absurd—utterly absurd—that Nigeria now has to sit around hoping FIFA deducts points from South Africa before we can dream of qualifying. Since when did the “Giant of Africa” become so helpless? In all my years as a Super Eagles fan, I’ve never felt this humiliated. How did we sink this low—relying on miracles, calculators, and courtroom drama to get to the World Cup, while also praying to win away against the group leaders with just three matches left?
Look at South Africa: making the maximum from the minimum. Look at Nigeria: wasting the maximum to produce the minimum. We’re a laughingstock. With all our stars, with all the money poured in, this team has turned into nothing but a cash cow for the rogues in suits at the NFF. Gusau and his crew? National disgrace.
If I were President, I’d pull the Eagles out of the qualifiers this minute, disband the entire team, dissolve the NFF, and initiate real reforms—even if it means a FIFA ban. Because honestly, what are we doing now besides burning money and embarrassing the nation?
And think of it: when Africa had 3 slots, we qualified. When Africa had 5 slots, we qualified. Now that Africa has 10 slots—we are missing out! Giants of Africa? Please. Better to be a dwarf who delivers than a bloated giant with nothing to show.
I’m sick, I’m tired, and I’m ashamed.
@Papafem
They said Mr Rohr was a mechanic. Hahahahaha
Take heart, my dear. I feel your pain right to the bone marrow. The genesis of this disaster? Pride, disorganisation, and recruitment of substandard coaches/backroom staff. I am not sure, but by the general trend of things, I’ll throw in poor/substandard training equipment.
People have repeatedly scoffed at my radical suggestions for funding the SE. Bring in 36 companies that are benefiting from multi-million-dollar deals with the government and have them fund the team substantially once every three years. You’ll bring in a top coach instantly. Is that what we do? Noooo! We bring in, forgive my language, unskilled coaches, offer N5m/month, and deceive ourselves. The next thing, we take to prayers, hoping to win matches. Are we the only group that serves the Divine? What about our opponents?
And if they can’t manage this corporate approach (sounds like stealing/bribery, but it is not), launch a fund for SE fans to contribute funds for a quality coach. No way! Who says yours sincerely may not afford to chip in $1000? I know of some fans who can offer $20,000. No way. The government is too proud. The option? Unskilled coaches, poor facilities and prayers without work. Can we win like that?
South Africa has +8 goal difference
NFF team has +2
Let’s assume for them deductions happen.
That’s +5 for SA.
And 3 points lesser also.
South Africa next match is against their “daughter” Zimbabwe.
Will they not thrash that team and gain the deducted points back? With even more goals margin?
NFF team, remember, is fighting for six points with very inferior goals scored oh.
Assume Rwanda stopped sa in the final match.
Our six points gain would have been academic, assuming also we beat Lesotho on the same “rugby pitch” of Tuesday match (which is Lesotho “home ground” expected to be maintained by South Africa) and then, a more motivated Benin Republic.
Summary:
Glasshouse ship has sunk. Everyone of them is seeking to clutch on straw to survive the impending clear out.
October 13th awaits (match day 10) for songs of resignations
Instead of you guys to forget world cup, and start thinking of afcon, you guys are here analysing points that will be removed.
Fellow Nigeiran stop thinking about world cup it is actually over for Nigeria. Let us concentrate on afcon. That is where any tangible thing can happen