The Super Eagles of Nigeria have gotten a significant boost in their hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as world football governing body FIFA have officially confirmed the deduction of three points from South Africa in the ongoing qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.
Since March, there has been controversy in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, as South Africa were found to have fielded an ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in their game against Lesotho on March 21 this year.
The Bafana Bafana midfielder had gotten two yellow cards in his first two games of the qualifiers, which meant an automatic suspension for the game against Lesotho. But they still fielded him.
The issue has dragged on since then, and FIFA did not say anything about it until this month, when it was revealed that the global football governing body had opened the case.
In a fresh development on Monday afternoon, FIFA have now confirmed that South Africa indeed broke the rules by fielding Mokoena.
As such, FIFA have sanctioned South Africa by deeming the game as been forfeited by them. That basically means that the Bafana Bafana will be docked three points and three goals. They will also pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (₦18.6 million).
More to follow….
