FIFA's Hammer Brings Little Consolation to Nigeria

The World's football governing body, FIFA has hammered South Africa for using an ineligible player for the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March this year.

FIFA, in a statement issued on Monday, confirmed the deduction of three points and goals from South Africa for breaching its rules.

The statement reads: 




Meanwhile, the South African Football Association, SAFA, has rejected the decision by global football governing body FIFA to deduct three points from them in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifying series.

The South Africans are challenging the decision, insisting they were not granted the opportunity to present their argument.

SAFA also claimed that the decision was made by a single-member panel of the FIFA disciplinary committee, describing the ruling as “unprecedented.”

In a statement on Monday, SAFA said the decision was handed down without any explanation or opportunity for the Association to present its legal arguments.

The statement read in part: “As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments.”

Unfortunately for Nigeria, the points deduction may not help the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The players have not shown  the seriousness of wanting to be at the world cup. Perhaps, with few exceptions. Not beating Lesotho and Zimbabwe at home has robbed Nigeria of valuable points. How are we sure that Nigeria will win the two remaining matches and South Africa will lose? Even Benin, now top of the table, looks formidable..

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