NFF Denies Reports of FIFA Clearing South Africa in Eligibility Row

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked reports claiming that FIFA cleared South Africa of fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

Mokoena allegedly accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers and should have been suspended for the March fixture. Under FIFA rules, a team risks forfeiting three points if an ineligible player participates—provided the opposing team lodges a protest within 24 hours.

Rumors circulated on Tuesday suggesting that FIFA had absolved South Africa of any wrongdoing, reportedly based on a post from FIFA’s official X account.

NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no formal correspondence had been received.

“There has been no official communication to that effect. What people are reporting is a tweet on their (FIFA) X account. We don’t regard that as official communication,” Olajire said.

South Africa currently tops Group C with 17 points from eight games, followed by Benin Republic with 14 points. Rwanda and Nigeria are tied on 11 points, while Lesotho (6) and Zimbabwe (4) remain at the bottom.