Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been given fresh life after world football’s governing body, FIFA, confirmed it has launched disciplinary action against South Africa for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in a qualifier earlier this year.
The case centers on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who featured for Bafana Bafana in their March clash with Lesotho despite reportedly accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches — a violation that, under FIFA rules, should have forced him to sit out.
For months, there was little word from Zurich on the matter, sparking speculation that it might be overlooked. However, South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC, revealed on Thursday that FIFA has formally written to the South African Football Association (SAFA), informing them that both the player and the federation now face disciplinary proceedings.
The letter, dated September 15, 2025, grants SAFA and Mokoena six days to respond to the allegations.
Should the charges be upheld, South Africa, who currently top Group C, would forfeit three points and three goals from the Lesotho fixture. Additional punishments such as fines or suspensions could also follow.
It is worthy of note that Equatorial Guinea faced similar punishment when FIFA ruled Emilio Nsue ineligible during the qualifiers, a verdict confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Such a ruling would drastically alter the group standings. Bafana Bafana would drop to 14 points, level with Benin, though still narrowly ahead on goal difference (+6 compared to Benin’s +4). Nigeria would remain on 11 points, three adrift of the leaders.
That scenario would leave South Africa needing victories in their final two fixtures — against Zimbabwe (away) and Rwanda (home) — to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup in North America.
For the Super Eagles, though, the disciplinary twist has rekindled hopes that qualification is still within reach.