The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has categorically rejected circulating reports suggesting that FIFA has cleared South Africa of wrongdoing in the dispute surrounding footballer Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility.
In an official statement shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, emphasised that no formal communication has been received from FIFA stating any clearance in the case. He urged stakeholders and fans to treat any such claims, especially those based solely on social media posts, as unverified and unofficial.
The controversy stems from a World Cup qualifying match in which Mokoena featured for South Africa against Lesotho, despite having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers, a violation that should have led to a one-match suspension. South Africa won the match 2-0, prompting Lesotho to lodge a protest and request a 3-0 forfeit in their favour and a deduction of three points from South Africa’s tally.
Nigeria sits in a precarious position in the standings after a 1-1 draw against South Africa, currently holding second place with 11 points from eight games. South Africa leads with 17 points, followed by Benin Republic with 14, Rwanda with 11, Lesotho with 6, and Zimbabwe with 4.
With remaining fixtures ahead, including Nigeria’s matches against Lesotho in Bloemfontein and Benin Republic in Uyo, the Super Eagles are under pressure to secure wins and potentially rely on a favourable outcome in the Mokoena matter.