2026 World Cup Qualifier: Hope Rises For Nigeria As South Africa Faces Three-point Deduction

2026 World Cup Qualifier: Hope Rises For Nigeria As South Africa Faces Three-point Deduction

By Admin

Momentums are gathering for Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as South Africa faces a three-point deduction, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Group C leaders with 10 points, South Africa may lose three points following fielding of ineligible player Teboho Mokoena against Zimbabwe in matchday 4 of the World Cup qualifier.

Mokoena, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was also booked in the 52nd minute during their 3-1 win over Zimbabwe in June 2024.

Despite the two yellow cards which rendered him ineligible he was named in South Africa matchday 4 tie against Lesotho last Friday.

According to FIFA World Cup qualifying rules, a player is ineligible to play a subsequent match after accumulating two yellow cards.

 "If players or team officials receive two cautions in one match (in matches decided by penalties) or in two different matches of the competition, they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match,” FIFA stated in the rule book.

"Protests regarding the eligibility of players selected for matches in the preliminary competition shall be submitted in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match in question and followed up with a full written report, including a copy of the original protest, to be submitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the applicable provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and by email to qualifiers@fifa.org within 24 hours of the end of the match and shall be dealt with by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, otherwise, they will be disregarded,” FIFA also stipulated.

 If the protest is successful, Lesotho, who are currently fifth in the group with five points, will be awarded three points, which would take them to eight points in the standings, while Nigeria will stand a good chance of overtaking the South Africans, depending on the results of Tuesday’s matches.

As it stands, South Africa is topping the table with 10 points, with Benin Republic in second with 8 points, while Rwanda is third with seven points. 

Nigeria is fourth with six points, while Lesotho occupies the fifth position with Zimbabwe in 6th.