NFF dismisses reports of FIFA clearing S/Africa in player ineligibility row

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports suggesting FIFA has cleared South Africa of immoderate wrongdoing successful the ongoing subordinate ineligibility saga involving Teboho Mokoena.

Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communications, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) successful Abuja connected Wednesday that it had not received immoderate authoritative connection from FIFA connected the matter.

“There has been nary authoritative connection to that effect. What radical are reporting is simply a tweet connected their (FIFA) X account. We don’t respect that arsenic authoritative communication,” helium said.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana hazard FIFA sanctions aft their midfielder, Mokoena, was fielded against Lesotho successful a World Cup qualifier, aft receiving 2 yellowish cards earlier successful the campaign.

According to FIFA rules, 2 yellowish cards from abstracted matches resulted successful a one-match suspension; however, Mokoena played successful the adjacent game, which South Africa won 2-0.

Lesotho promptly filed a protest, requesting that FIFA grant them a 3-0 triumph and deduct 3 points from South Africa.

Six months on, FIFA had yet to contented a ceremonial decision, portion the hold added uncertainty to the concern successful the CAF World Cup qualifying Group C table.

NAN reports that if Lesotho’s protestation stands, South Africa volition suffer the lucifer and 3 points, portion Lesotho gains a 3-0 triumph with 3 points.

However, if FIFA finds the protestation invalid oregon filed incorrectly, South Africa whitethorn debar punishment and clasp the 17 points it has already accumulated.

As things stand, Nigeria indispensable absorption connected winning upcoming matches portion awaiting FIFA’s verdict.

Nigeria’s  1-1 gully with South Africa connected Tuesday meant the Super Eagles occupied the 2nd spot connected the log with 11 points from 8 matches.

The Super Eagles’ adjacent crippled is an distant lucifer against Lesotho astatine the Toyota Stadium successful Bloemfontein, South Africa, connected October 10, earlier wrapping up their run connected October 16 against the Benin Republic successful Uyo.

As it stands, South Africa remains successful a beardown presumption to apical the radical with 17 points from 8 matches, portion second-placed Benin Republic is connected 14 points.

Fourth-placed Rwanda are tied connected 11 points with Nigeria, portion Lesotho (6 points) and Zimbabwe (4 points) implicit the six-team table.

Nigeria whitethorn present request to triumph each their remaining games oregon settee for a play-off route.

Vanguard News

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