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- A top Nigerian journalist has written to FIFA over a lack of communication about South Africa’s rule breach
- The CAF qualifying series for the 2026 World Cup qualifier has two matches left, and FIFA has yet to act on the offence
- Nigeria and Benin Republic are pushing for the world football governing body to sanction the Bafana Bafana
A top Nigerian journalist with global influence in football has written to FIFA over the delay and lack of communication about South Africa’s rule breach.
Bafana Bafana fielded the ineligible Teboho Mokoena during their 2-0 win over neighbours Lesotho on matchday five during the March international break.
Source: Getty Images
Mokoena was supposed to be suspended after picking up yellow cards on matchday one and four, but featured for over 80 minutes in the victory.
As noted by France 24, South Africa’s head coach Hugo Broos, realising this mistake, dropped the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder for the matchday six 2-0 victory over Benin Republic.
There have been questions about the incident since March, and months later, after another international break, FIFA has yet to act on the case, nor has there been any official communication.
As noted by CAF Online, South Africa inch closer to qualifying for the World Cup after beating Lesotho 3-0 and drawing 1-1 against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Bafana Bafana lead Group C with 17 points, closely followed by Benin Republic with 14 points and Nigeria with 11 points, with two matches left to play.
Benin and Nigeria are hoping that FIFA docks South Africa three points for their offence, which could boost both West African countries’ chances.
Osasu Obayiuwana writes to FIFA over South Africa
Top Nigerian journalist and former FIFA anti-racism task force member Osasu Obayiuwana has called out the world football governing body over South Africa’s case.
Obayiuwana tagged the relevant parties in the case in an X post, including South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is at the centre of the controversy.
“#FIFA, you docked 6 points from Equatorial Guinea’s #fifawc2026q points total, for illegally fielding #AFCON golden boot winner Emilio Nsue in matches against Namibia and Liberia in November 2023,” he wrote.
“What is happening in the case of @TebohoMokoena28, who was illegally fielded by @SAFA_net in @BafanaBafana’s game against #Lesotho on March 21st?”
The post did not sit well with South Africans who camped in his mentions to antagonise, particularly for tagging Mokoena to the post.
@kingkenzo015 wrote:
“Get well soon, my brother. It’s never an easy thing to discover that you are just an ordinary team full of individuals. We used to feel like that and went around with a rule book, hoping there was someone in Zurich checking out our rants on X.”
Source: Getty Images
@NhlivoT wrote:
“U can’t win your matches on the field of play and now looking for shortcuts in the boardroom? Unlike Nigeria. FIFA has a clear set of rules and regulations regarding such things. Make peace with the fact that you are not going to the World Cup already, man.”
@lungie_klaas wrote:
“Focus on winning matches and not back door entry. Also, get used to the fact that Nigeria is not going to qualify, whether SA is docked or not and move on.”
Fear grips South after Equatorial Guinea’s verdict
Legit.ng reported that South Africans are panicking after the Court of Arbitration for Sports upheld FIFA’s decision to dock Equatorial Guinea six points.
The central African country was punished for fielding AFCON 2023 Golden Boot winner Emilio Nsue before FIFA approved his national switch.
Source: Legit.ng
