WCQ: Sodje Blasts NFF For Celebrating FIFA’s 3-point Deduction From South Africa

Former Super Eagles defender, Samuel Sodje, has condemned the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and sections of the Nigerian shot assemblage for celebrating FIFA’s caller determination to deduct 3 points from South Africa’s Bafana Bafana

The satellite shot governing assemblage announced the authorisation connected Monday, pursuing violations concerning subordinate eligibility successful a World Cup qualifier match.

The contention surrounds South Africa’s determination to tract Teboho Mokoena, an ineligible player, during their clash with Lesotho successful March 2025 arsenic portion of the qualifying run for the 2026 World Cup. In summation to the points deduction, FIFA has besides reduced South Africa’s extremity tally by three, importantly impacting their lasting successful Group C of the qualifiers.

The deduction has ignited a question of jubilation among Nigerian shot fans, who spot it arsenic a imaginable lifeline for their ain team, the Super Eagles, who presently beryllium 3rd successful the radical with 11 points, trailing South Africa by 3 points. Such sentiments person peculiarly resonated successful airy of Nigeria’s ongoing quest for qualification for the prestigious tournament.

However, Sodje, who earned implicit 20 caps for the Super Eagles during his career, has labelled the celebrations arsenic “embarrassing.” In an interrogation with Soccernet, helium expressed his disbelief astatine the reactions from Nigerian fans and the NFF, stating: “For South Africa, they did interruption the rules, and they’ve taken 3 points disconnected them. I deliberation that’s normal. What’s astonishing present is Nigerians are seeing this arsenic large news. I deliberation it’s embarrassing.”

Sodje’s comments bespeak a broader sentiment that celebrating the misfortune of opponents does not bolster the integrity of Nigerian shot but alternatively reduces it. This position advocates for a absorption connected improving the Super Eagles’ ain show connected the pitch, alternatively than relying connected the setbacks of rivals to execute success.

The concern continues to make arsenic the Super Eagles hole for their upcoming matches successful the qualifiers, wherever securing victories volition find their destiny and imaginable qualification for the World Cup. The unit is present connected Nigeria to present results alternatively than seeking to payment from the penalties imposed connected their competitors. With the stakes higher than ever, fans and players alike are urged to support their absorption connected the crippled alternatively than the shortcomings of others.

As the contention for World Cup qualification intensifies, the NFF and the Nigerian shot assemblage indispensable bespeak connected their approach, ensuring that the emotion of the crippled remains their superior absorption and guiding principle.