The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has rubbished claims that FIFA has given South Africa a free pass in the ongoing row over Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility, Footynaija.com reports.
Reports had circulated that world football’s governing body had dismissed Lesotho’s protest against Bafana Bafana, but NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire insisted no such confirmation had reached Abuja.
Tolu Arokodare’s goal was the difference maker for Nigeria in World Cup qualifying!#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/JopodUYILp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 6, 2025
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“There has been no official communication from FIFA. What people are quoting is a tweet. That does not qualify as formal correspondence,” Olajire told the News Agency of Nigeria.
At the heart of the dispute is Mokoena’s appearance in South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho despite being due a suspension after collecting two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign.
By FIFA regulations, he should have sat out. Lesotho immediately lodged a complaint, demanding the result be overturned into a 3-0 win in their favour and South Africa docked three points.
The case has dragged on for six months with no ruling, leaving Group C finely balanced. If Lesotho’s appeal is upheld, South Africa would slip from 17 to 14 points, throwing the group wide open. If dismissed, Hugo Broos’ men remain frontrunners to qualify.
South Africa and Nigeria each pick up a point in World Cup qualifying #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/O6LzdU4HoZ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 9, 2025
For Nigeria, currently third on 11 points after drawing 1-1 with South Africa in Bloemfontein, the path to automatic qualification is all but closed. However, failure to win the remaining games against Lesotho and Benin could also see the play-off route disappear.
Group standings after eight games: South Africa 17 pts; Benin 14; Nigeria & Rwanda 11; Lesotho 6; Zimbabwe 4.
