2026 WCQ: Steps Nigeria Could Take if FIFA Fails To Deduct 3 Points From South Africa

• Nigeria risks missing back-to-back World Cups if FIFA fails to deduct 3 points from Group C rivals South Africa
• FIFA has a past of punishing teams, including Nigeria, for fielding ineligible players successful important games
• Nigeria tin instrumentality ineligible enactment against FIFA astatine CAS if the rules are not applied consistently

The contention surrounding South Africa’s fielding of an ineligible subordinate successful their 2-0 triumph implicit Lesotho successful the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers continues to disturbance debate.

Theboho Mokoena, who had accumulated 2 yellowish cards successful erstwhile matches, was ineligible to play but featured for 81 minutes successful the match.

South Africa risks getting 3 points deducted from their full tally successful the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers aft fielding Theboho Mokoena against Lesotho. Photo by Visionhaus
Source: Getty Images

Despite this wide regularisation violation, FIFA has yet to denote immoderate sanctions, leaving Nigeria’s qualification hopes uncertain.

Lesotho, the affected team, has opted not to record an authoritative protest, citing the 48-hour deadline for specified appeals. However, they stay hopeful that FIFA volition uphold the integrity of the contention by enforcing the established rules.

For Nigeria, the stakes are incredibly high. The Super Eagles person struggled successful the qualifiers, winning conscionable 1 of their six games truthful far.

Currently sitting successful 4th spot successful Group C with 7 points—six points down radical leaders South Africa, according to FIFA.com, Nigeria’s way to the World Cup would beryllium importantly improved if FIFA deducts 3 points from Bafana Bafana.

Historical precedents for FIFA sanctions

FIFA has antecedently punished nations for akin infractions, mounting a beardown precedent for enactment against South Africa.

In the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria themselves were docked 3 points for fielding an ineligible player, Shehu Abdullahi, successful a 1-1 gully against Algeria, contempt Algeria not filing a protest, BBC reports.

Similarly, successful 2013, Togo was penalised for utilizing an ineligible subordinate successful a 2-0 triumph implicit Cameroon.

Other cases see Ethiopia (2014 World Cup Qualifiers), arsenic they had a 3-0 triumph against Botswana overturned for fielding Minyahil Teshome Beyene, who was suspended.

Cape Verde during the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers were disqualified for utilizing Fernando Varela, who was suspended successful a erstwhile match.

Equatorial Guinea besides successful the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers faced akin punishment arsenic FIFA reversed 2 wins owed to naturalisation issues with striker Emiliano Nsue.

Nigeria's chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are slim aft winning conscionable 1 retired of six matches played truthful acold successful the qualifiers. Photo credit: @NG_SuperEagles
Source: Twitter

Given these precedents, Nigeria has a morganatic lawsuit to request akin punishment for South Africa.

Possible steps Nigeria tin instrumentality against FIFA

If FIFA fails to use the aforesaid disciplinary measures to South Africa, Nigeria can research the pursuing options:

1. File an authoritative ailment to FIFA

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) tin formally request an probe and guarantee that FIFA applies its regulations consistently.

2. Seek ineligible redress astatine the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

If FIFA refuses to act, Nigeria tin escalate the substance to CAS, arguing that their ain past punishment nether the aforesaid rules should acceptable a precedent.

3. Lobby CAF and different shot bodies

Nigeria tin rally enactment from different African nations and shot stakeholders to unit FIFA into enforcing just play.

With World Cup qualification astatine stake, Nigeria indispensable enactment swiftly to guarantee justness is served.

Super Eagles determination up successful FIFA rankings

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Super Eagles moved up connected the latest FIFA ranking contempt a mixed effect successful the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers during the March planetary break.

Eric Chelle managed his archetypal 2 games successful complaint of the Super Eagles, having taken complaint of the squad successful January erstwhile helium was unveiled arsenic the caller imperishable manager.

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Source: Legit.ng