2026 WCQ: Drama in Super Eagles’ group as South Africa face 3-point deduction

Published

11 months ago

March 25, 2025

Nigeria’s hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup might have just gotten an unexpected boost following controversy around South Africa midfielder, Teboho Mokoena.

Mokoena should have been suspended for Bafana Bafana’s Matchday 5 clash against Lesotho due to accumulated yellow cards.

He was booked in their Matchday 1 fixture against Benin Republic and picked up another on Matchday 4 against Zimbabwe.

The two bookings rendered Mokoena ineligible to feature in the subsequent fixture against Lesotho.

These revelations have sparked speculation that South Africa could face a points deduction if confirmed by the relevant authorities.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers rulebook subsection 9 states that a player who receives two yellow cards in separate matches must serve a one-match suspension.

Mokoena playing for 81 minutes against Lesotho is therefore a potential breach of FIFA regulations.

If the standard six-game suspension rule applies to the 10-game qualification format, South Africa could face a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

This development could dramatically shift the dynamics of Group C, where Nigeria is battling to secure a World Cup ticket.

South Africa currently tops Group C with 10 points, followed by Benin with eight, Rwanda with seven, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points.

2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?

The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.

“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.

“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”

Politics

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences

to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.

The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.

President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.

“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.

I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)