Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may have received an unexpected lifeline following reports that South Africa fielded an ineligible player in their recent qualifier against Lesotho.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena should have been suspended for the Matchday 5 fixture due to accumulated yellow cards. The 27-year-old was booked in South Africa’s opening match against the Benin Republic and received another caution against Zimbabwe on Matchday 4, making him ineligible for the next game under FIFA rules.

According to FIFA’s World Cup Qualifiers rulebook (subsection 9), a player who collects two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-game suspension. Since Mokoena played 81 minutes against Lesotho, South Africa could be found guilty of violating FIFA regulations.

If FIFA enforces the standard three-point deduction—a common punishment for fielding ineligible players—it would significantly alter the Group C standings.

South Africa currently leads Group C with 13 points, followed by Rwanda (eight points) and Benin (eight points), while Nigeria is fourth with seven points.

If South Africa loses three points, the Super Eagles will move closer to the qualification spots with five matches left to play.

With Nigeria already facing an uphill battle in the qualifiers, this controversy could provide a much-needed boost for their World Cup campaign. The final decision now rests with FIFA, and all eyes will be on the governing body to determine the fate of Group C.