Latest News
Mutiu Adepoju: ‘FIFA sanction on South Africa not a big advantage for Super Eagles’
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju believes FIFA’s decision to deduct points from South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will not significantly boost the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On Monday, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa had fielded an ineligible player, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March.
Mokoena should have been suspended after receiving two yellow cards in earlier Group C fixtures.
As a result, Lesotho were awarded a 3-0 win, while Bafana Bafana were docked three points and fined $12,536.04. Mokoena also received a warning.
The ruling has altered the dynamics of Group C. Benin Republic now top the table on goal difference, level with South Africa on 14 points, while Nigeria remain in third place with 11 points and two games left to play.
Speaking to Completesports.com, Adepoju played down the impact of the sanction on Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
“For me it is not that much of an advantage, though the points are not that much again. The Super Eagles still need to win their remaining two matches and hope other results favour them. They don’t need much advice other than to be fired up to win and see what happens,” he said.
The qualifiers will resume in October. Bafana Bafana face Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while the Super Eagles faces Lesotho away before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo.
Only the group winners secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, with the runners-up advancing to the playoff round.
