Sports Correspondent

Nigeria’s Super Eagles could receive a significant boost in their World Cup qualifying campaign if FIFA sanctions South Africa’s Bafana Bafana for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.

The Super Eagles currently trail South Africa by four points in their group, with only five games left to play. However, if FIFA finds South Africa guilty, they risk losing three points, which would significantly improve Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The controversy surrounds South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho, in which they allegedly fielded Teboho Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards in previous games. According to FIFA rules, Mokoena should have been suspended for the match against Lesotho.

Mokoena picked up yellow cards in South Africa’s 2-1 win over Benin on matchday 1 and their 3-1 win over Zimbabwe on matchday 4. FIFA rules state that a player who receives two cautions in two different matches of the same competition will be automatically suspended from the team’s subsequent match.

However, Mokoena played in South Africa’s subsequent game against Lesotho, despite being ineligible. FIFA has yet to release a statement on the situation, leaving the Super Eagles waiting anxiously for a decision that could potentially change their World Cup qualifying fortunes.