Nigeria banking 2026 World Cup qualification hopes on potential South Africa points deduction

Nigeria are on the verge of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico following an unimpressive performances in the qualification series.

After eight matches, the West African football heavyweights find themselves in the third position in Group C, accumulating 11 points, six points behind log leaders, South Africa.

With two games to end the qualifiers, the Super Eagles are said to be banking their qualification hopes on a potential point deduction against South Africa.

South Africa faces a potential three-point deduction as the issue regarding midfielder Teboho Mokoena remain unresolved. The scandal originally broke out in March last year when Mokoena featured for the Bafana Bafana despite being suspended in a match against Lesotho. Due to a technical error, South Africa risked losing three points, but Lesotho failed to file a protest within the designated timeframe.

The controversy reignited after Bafana Bafana played out a 1-1 draw with Nigeria, maintaining their top spot in the qualification.

With FIFA yet to rule on controversy surrounding Mokoena, the Nigeria FA are not giving up on qualification.

The Bafana Bafana remain top of the table, leading Benin and Nigeria by three and six points respectively, with two matches to end the qualification series.

South Africa will return to action in October for the final round of qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Nigeria takes on Lesotho and Benin respectively.