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) to FIFA.
South Africa will have ten days to appeal this punishment by FIFA.
South Africa Punishment: Big Change In Group C
FIFA's punishment for South Africa basically means the game in question was a walkover for their opponents － Lesotho.
Before the punishment, the Bafana Bafana had 17 points and a +6 goals difference. But now, they will drop to 14 points and a +3 goals difference.
Now, Lesotho, who are the direct beneficiaries, will see their points tally rise from six points to nine points. Then, their goals difference will increase from -6 to -3.
The big change is that Benin are now level on points with the Bafana Bafana. But Benin have leapfrogged them by virtue of having a higher goal difference at +4.
Following the deduction of South Africa's points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player, this is what the table looks like with two matches to the end.
Nigeria's last two matches
Lesotho – away
Benin – homeSouth Africa's last two
Zimbabwe – away
Rwanda – home… pic.twitter.com/Qfzkp3x6Q9— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) September 29, 2025
As it stands now, Benin are first in Group C, South Africa second, Nigeria third, Rwanda fourth, Lesotho fifth, and Zimbabwe sixth.
How Nigeria's Super Eagles Can Profit From FIFA's Ruling
With the latest punishment for South Africa, things are now tighter and a bit more complicated for the teams gunning for the World Cup ticket.
In fact, the top two teams, Benin and South Africa, no longer have their fates in their hands. They have to beat their remaining two opponents and beat them well.
South Africa have the easier games, as they play Zimbabwe “at home” and Rwanda at home.
Meanwhile, Benin have two more games against Rwanda and Nigeria, both of which, are away from home.
For Nigeria's Super Eagles, it is still difficult for them to qualify. They have to hope that the Bafana Bafana lose their next two games or suffer one big defeat.
Then, Nigeria will have to defeat Benin and Lesotho by big margins to make up for the goals difference.
So basically, the Super Eagles' fate isn't in their hands. If they had won their last game against South Africa, things would have been significantly different.
But as it stands, even with South Africa's points deduction, only prayers, supplications, an arm, a leg, and utter commitment from the Super Eagles players will land the World Cup ticket for Nigeria.
