Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju believes the points deduction handed to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana by FIFA does not give the Super Eagles a significant advantage in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
On Monday, September 29, FIFA stripped South Africa of three points after finding them guilty of fielding an ineligible player, a move that could jeopardize their hopes of reaching the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
The world football governing body’s disciplinary committee ruled that South Africa played midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a 2-0 home win against Lesotho in March when he should have been suspended due to two cautions in previous Group C matches.
As a result, Lesotho was awarded a 3-0 victory, Bafana Bafana were stripped of their three points and fined $12,536.04, and Mokoena received a warning.
Following the ruling, Benin now tops Group C on goal difference, level with South Africa on 14 points with two matches left.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who have had a disappointing campaign, sit in third place on 11 points.
Reacting to the news, Adepoju said that despite the change in the standings, the Super Eagles’ path remains difficult.
“For me, it is not that much of an advantage,” Adepoju stated to CompleteSportsNigeria. “Though the points are not that much again, the Super Eagles still need to win their remaining two matches and hope other results favour them.”
He stressed that the team’s focus must be on their own performance. “They don’t need much advice than be fired up to go and win the next two matches and see what happens.”
The final two matchdays of the qualifiers are set to resume in October:Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe and Rwanda while the Super Eagles will travel to take on Lesotho before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo.
Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, though the runners-up will have a chance to advance via a playoff process.
