Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Hopes Rekindled Amid South Africa Player Eligibility Scandal

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — set to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico — if South Africa are penalised for fielding an ineligible player, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C of the African qualifiers, with seven points after six matches. South Africa lead the group with 13 points, leaving Nigeria six points adrift in the race for the group’s sole automatic qualification spot.

However, Dikko revealed that FIFA is reviewing a disciplinary case involving South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, who was fielded in the 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March despite reportedly accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches — a breach of FIFA’s qualifying rules that mandates a one-match suspension for such offenses.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal protest over the incident, which could result in Bafana Bafana being docked three points if FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour.

“With the look of things, it’s still in our hands, based on the disciplinary issue that is going to be decided very soon,” Dikko said in an interview with UK-based Nigerian journalist Austin Okon-Akpan. “If that happens, it means the next four games are still in our hands. If we win our next four games, we can qualify.”

He added, “The rules are rules. It’s not about Africa, it’s FIFA. There are no two ways about it. Otherwise, we could have fielded any player and claimed it’s an error.”

Nigeria, under newly appointed coach Eric Chelle, will resume their qualifying campaign in September. Chelle, who took over in March, led the team to a strong showing in the Unity Cup in London, defeating Ghana and Jamaica, and playing a 1-1 draw with Russia in an international friendly.

The Super Eagles’ remaining four fixtures include Rwanda (home) and South Africa (away) in September, followed by Lesotho (away) and Benin Republic (home) in October.