Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has welcomed FIFA’s recent ruling against South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, calling the decision expected and justified.
FIFA’s disciplinary Committee on Monday awarded a 3-0 victory to Lesotho after it found that South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena had featured in the March 21 fixture despite being ineligible.
The ruling, based on violations of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup preliminary competition regulations, also included a CHF10,000 fine for the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Mokoena received a formal warning.
> “It is true. Surely, it is no more than we expected,” said Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communications, when contacted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“The rules are clear, and FIFA acted accordingly.”
The development has stirred considerable interest across the continent, especially in Nigeria, which shares the same qualifying group with both South Africa and Lesotho. If upheld, the forfeiture could significantly boost Nigeria’s chances in the group standings.
Meanwhile, SAFA has vowed to challenge the ruling, expressing outrage over the process and outcome.
> “The decision is unprecedented,” SAFA said in a statement.
“It was handed down by a single-member panel without detailed reasoning, and without giving us the opportunity to present legal arguments.”
SAFA has already requested written justifications and plans to file an official appeal within FIFA’s 10-day window for contesting such decisions.
Despite the controversy, SAFA reaffirmed its confidence in the Bafana Bafana, pledging to stay focused on upcoming fixtures.
> “Our players and coaching staff have given their all. We remain committed to collecting maximum points in the matches ahead.”
South Africa will host Zimbabwe on October 10 in Durban, followed by a clash with Rwanda on October 14 in Mbombela, with both games scheduled to kick off at 6:00 p.m.
As the situation unfolds, attention remains firmly on FIFA’s next steps—and what they could mean for the fate of Group C in Africa’s World Cup qualifying race.
