Nigeria has requested that FIFA deduct three points from South Africa's team for having an ineligible player. "Ababa —" Nigeria's NFF has formally requested that FIFA penalise South Africa for allegedly using an ineligible player during their 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Lesotho on March 21. Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena is at the centre of the dispute.
Despite being given two yellow cards, which would have led to an immediate suspension under FIFA rules, he played in the qualifiers against Zimbabwe and the Benin Republic. The Lesotho Football Association (LFA) is still in favour of the NFF's objection, despite the fact that Lesotho's complaint was purportedly filed beyond FIFA's strict deadline.
Nigerian officials assert that participation is required to preserve the competition's integrity, regardless of the timeliness of the procedure. If FIFA rules in favour of Nigeria, South Africa would lose three points and possibly their chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Nigerian athletes in the same qualifying group stand a good chance of outperforming their counterparts in the North American competition.
FIFA has stated officially that they are reviewing the data but have not yet reached a decision. This case could set a precedent for the rigour with which FIFA implements its disciplinary procedures when they are considered in the context of administrative errors. The outcome might decide both South Africa's and Group C's overall fate because both teams are vying for a World Cup berth.
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