In a significant setback for Nigeria and the Benin Republic’s ambitions to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has dismissed any disciplinary measures against South Africa concerning claims of fielding an ineligible player during the African qualifiers.
This ruling effectively dashes Nigeria’s hopes of gaining an advantage through administrative penalties within Group C.
On Monday evening, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee announced that South Africa’s national squad, Bafana Bafana, would not face any punishment related to midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility. Mokoena was accused of participating in the qualifier against Lesotho in March despite allegedly being suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
The verdict ended weeks of speculation and significantly strengthened South Africa’s position in the qualification race.
Currently, South Africa tops Group C with 17 points from eight games, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Benin Republic, which has 13 points, while Nigeria trails in third with 11 points. With only two fixtures left, the stakes remain high.
Had the committee found South Africa guilty, the consequences could have included a 3-0 match forfeiture, a deduction of three points, and possible fines-outcomes that would have reshaped the group standings dramatically.
Instead, the decision preserves South Africa’s victory in the disputed match, allowing them to retain all points and maintain a commanding position in their quest for World Cup qualification.
For Nigeria’s Super Eagles, this outcome is a major disappointment. The three-time African champions had been closely following the investigation, hoping that a ruling against South Africa might have shifted the group dynamics in their favor.
With the Disciplinary Committee’s verdict now definitive, Nigeria faces a steeper climb to reach the 2026 World Cup.
After a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein last week, the Super Eagles must now win their remaining games and depend on favorable results elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee handles a broad spectrum of issues, including player eligibility, misconduct on the pitch, and breaches by football associations and fans.
The committee’s investigations are meticulous and can be protracted, with some decisions open to appeal. While several countries have encountered disciplinary actions during this qualification phase, the scrutiny on South Africa’s case was particularly intense due to its potential to influence the tightly contested Group C standings.
