2026 WCQ: FIFA haven’t cleared South Africa for fielding ineligible player – NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, have rumours claiming that FIFA have cleared South Africa of fielding an ineligible player in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

Bafana Bafana midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, accumulated two yellow cards during the qualifiers and should have been suspended for game against Lesotho in March.

But Mokoena ended up playing in the game.

According to FIFA regulations, if an ineligible player competes in a qualifying match, the team he represents can be penalized by losing three points, provided the opposing team submits a protest within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.

There were reports credited to FIFA via their official X handle on Tuesday that South Africa have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

However, NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire debunked such reports in a chat with NAN, stating that they are yet to receive any official communication from FIFA on the matter.

“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,” he said.

2026 WCQ: FIFA haven’t cleared South Africa for fielding ineligible player – NFF