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Many Nigerian shot fans person brushed disconnected FIFA’s determination to dock South Africa 3 points successful the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, insisting it volition person small interaction connected the Super Eagles’ slim chances of reaching the tournament.
While immoderate described the ruling arsenic “too late,” others blamed Nigeria’s struggles connected mediocre performances and administrative lapses alternatively than South Africa’s setback.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee had connected Monday sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during the qualifier against Lesotho connected March 21, 2025.
According to FIFA, SAFA’s enactment breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations. As a result, the lucifer has been forfeited successful
favour of Lesotho, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded.
In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000, portion Mokoena himself has received an authoritative warning.
The determination was formally communicated to the parties connected Monday. Under FIFA rules, they person 10 days to petition a detailed, motivated decision, which would subsequently beryllium published connected legal.fifa.com. The ruling remains taxable to entreaty earlier the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Before the sanction, Hugo Broos’ men sat astatine the apical of Group C with 17 points from 8 games, holding a three-point spread implicit Benin. However, the punishment has present seen Benin determination up of South Africa aft their 2-0 triumph against Lesotho was overturned to a 0-3 decision owed to the administrative error.
Reactions from Nigerian fans connected societal media captured the prevailing mood.
@mezzymichaels wrote: “Doesn’t alteration anything. Nigeria volition inactive conflict to bushed Benin successful Uyo. Zimbabwe and Lesotho are playing successful SOUTH AFRICA arsenic location crushed against South Africa. Good luck to Benin Republic if any.”
@Abass193 added: “Too precocious for the Super Eagles and each the teams successful the group. South Africa is playing their adjacent lucifer distant “(at home)” against Zimbabwe and besides playing their past lucifer against Rwanda astatine location again, there’s nary mode they won’t get astatine slightest 4 points from the remaining games.”
@hayourbahme lamented: “Now that gully distant successful South Africa feels much achy to beryllium honest. Will instrumentality a occurrence for the Super triumph this group.”
For @pianopianoOAG, the occupation lies deeper than FIFA sanctions: “They privation to shame Nigeria for deducting conscionable 3 points. Deduction oregon nary deduction oooo. We are not going to qualify… Our players are a clump of idiots.. Because of Money, you tin lone spot their champion erstwhile they played for the club. NFF IS THE PROBLEM….”
The station 2026 WCQ: ‘Does not alteration anything,’ Nigerians respond aft South Africa docked 3 points appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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