NIGERIA’s hopes of progressing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers have received a significant boost after FIFA sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, in their qualifier against Lesotho.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the crucial match, played on March 21, 2025, was part of the preliminary rounds of the World Cup.
Following investigations, FIFA ruled that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations by fielding Mokoena despite his ineligibility.
As a result, the match has been awarded to Lesotho with a 3-0 scoreline, effectively overturning the result.
In addition, SAFA has been ordered to pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (£9,000), while Mokoena himself received an official warning.
In a statement released on Monday, FIFA confirmed that the disciplinary decision had already been communicated to all parties involved.
“The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today,” the statement read.
“In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com.
“The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.”
The development could reshape the qualification landscape in Nigeria’s group, where every point is critical in the race for a place at the 2026 Mundial.
A football pundit, Lekan Ibrahim told News Point Nigeria Sports that the forfeiture could significantly alter the dynamics, potentially tilting the advantage toward Nigeria if the Super Eagles capitalize on the reshuffled standings.
