National Teams
Sunday Oliseh warns of FIFA sanctions as South Africa risk forfeit vs Nigeria
By Dayo Awoniyi
Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh has raised alarm over South Africa’s potential use of an ineligible player in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers — a development that could overshadow tonight’s high-stakes showdown with Nigeria in Bloemfontein.
Oliseh alleged that Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured in March’s qualifier against Lesotho despite having already accumulated two yellow cards in earlier fixtures — a disciplinary threshold that should have triggered a one-match suspension.
South Africa currently sit atop Group C with 16 points, but that lead could be reduced to 13 if FIFA applies its standard sanctions.
Under governing body rules, the fielding of an ineligible player typically results in a 3-0 forfeit defeat for the offending team, with the three points awarded to their opponents — in this case, Lesotho.
“To the best of my knowledge, South Africa is in trouble,” Oliseh wrote on Instagram.
“If a team fields an ineligible player and a valid protest is upheld, the standard penalties include forfeiture of the match. The result is usually overturned to a 3-0 defeat, with the three points going to the opposition.”
The timing of Oliseh’s remarks adds further intrigue to tonight’s crunch tie between Nigeria and South Africa. With the Super Eagles chasing vital points to keep their qualification hopes alive, the looming possibility of a FIFA disciplinary ruling could place additional pressure on Hugo Broos’ men.
A victory for Nigeria in Bloemfontein, combined with a potential points deduction for South Africa, could dramatically alter the complexion of Group C and the race for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
