Shehu Dikko, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission, has revealed that the Super Eagles‘s fading World Cup hopes are not entirely lost — thanks to an impending FIFA disciplinary verdict that could see South Africa docked crucial points, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria are six points behind Group C leaders South Africa and appeared all but out of contention for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
But Dikko believes the Super Eagles' fate may yet be rewritten in Zurich.
Speaking to UK-based Nigerian journalist Austin Okon-Akpan, Dikko said FIFA is investigating claims that South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a qualifier against Lesotho back in March.
Mokoena was reportedly on two yellow cards and should have served a suspension.
What Dikko said of Super Eagles's World Cup chances
“With the way things are, it’s still in our hands, depending on the outcome of the disciplinary decision that’s expected soon,” Dikko said.
“If the decision goes as everyone expects and we ourselves have faced a similar fate before, it means we can still control our own future. If we win our remaining four games, we can make it.
“The rules are the rules; it’s not about Africa, it’s FIFA. There are no two ways about it. Otherwise, anyone could field a player and then say it was a simple error.”
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Should FIFA dock South Africa three points and reverse the 2-0 win over Lesotho, the group standings would change dramatically—potentially thrusting Nigeria back into contention, with four games still to play and only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification.
The Super Eagles, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a heartbreaking playoff exit to Ghana, risk failing to qualify for back-to-back editions for the first time since their debut in 1994.
For now, all eyes are on FIFA, whose ruling could offer Nigeria a dramatic route back into the qualification race.
