Nigeria are hoping FIFA will enforce its regulations by sanctioning South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho — a move that could reignite the Super Eagles’ fading hopes of reaching the finals in North America.
South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho on 21 March is now under scrutiny after it emerged that Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play due to suspension.
The Lesotho Football Association has officially reported the matter to FIFA, requesting that the match be forfeited — and Nigeria are watching closely.
Why Nigeria care about South Africa’s sanction
- Nigeria trail South Africa by six points in Group C after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
- If South Africa are docked three points, their lead would shrink to just three points, giving Nigeria a clear route back into the qualification race.
- Lesotho would be awarded a 3-0 technical victory, leapfrogging Nigeria, but that would be less threatening to the Super Eagles’ long-term hopes compared to a strong South African side.
- The race for Group C’s single automatic qualification spot would be blown wide open, with four rounds of matches remaining.
The Mokoena eligibility blunder
- Teboho Mokoena received yellow cards against Benin and Zimbabwe earlier in the qualifiers.
- Under FIFA rules, two bookings in different matches trigger a one-match suspension.
- Despite this, Mokoena played 81 minutes against Lesotho in Polokwane — a clear breach of FIFA’s disciplinary code.
- He was omitted from the following game against Benin after the oversight was discovered.
Nigeria are not expected to file a formal protest but are relying on FIFA to act on its own, just as it did in 2018, when it docked three points from Nigeria for fielding an ineligible Shehu Abdullahi in a qualifier against Algeria. That decision came without any formal protest from Algeria.
Lesotho and Nigeria align
Lesotho Football Association Secretary-General Mokhosi Mohapi confirmed their protest and said they want FIFA to act fairly.
“The question is, was a rule broken? If yes, we are fully entitled to protest and get the points… Suppose it was us who fielded a defaulter and got the points, Bafana would have done the same,” Mohapi told the Sowetan.
He added there were “no hard feelings,” but insisted FIFA’s regulations must be respected.
Reports indicate Nigeria also support the protest, with multiple outlets confirming the Nigerian Football Federation is watching the matter closely.
The Group C equation
If FIFA rules against South Africa:
- South Africa would drop to 10 points
- Lesotho would rise to 9
- Nigeria, currently on 7, would suddenly be just three points off the top
- With four matches left, Nigeria could overtake Bafana Bafana by winning their upcoming direct clash
The Super Eagles have been unconvincing in the qualifiers but remain hopeful. If South Africa are penalised, it will give Nigeria a second chance to reach their seventh World Cup, having missed out in 2022.
Coach Broos under pressure
Bafana coach Hugo Broos refused to be drawn into the controversy.
“It is something that will be resolved in the coming weeks. So, you shouldn’t expect anything from me. No comment,” Broos said.
Despite South Africa’s improved performances under Broos — they are unbeaten since 2023 and recently reached the AFCON semi-finals — administrative oversight could undermine their impressive campaign.
What happens next?
FIFA has yet to make a formal ruling, but if the precedent from 2018 is followed, South Africa could face:
- A 3-0 technical defeat to Lesotho
- A three-point deduction
- A fine of at least CHF 6,000
For Nigeria, the ruling could mark a turning point in what has been a frustrating qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles must still beat Rwanda, Lesotho, Benin — and crucially, South Africa — in the return leg. But a South African slip could be the boost they desperately need.
