The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has clarified that FIFA has not officially cleared South Africa over using an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

Mokoena, a central midfielder for Bafana Bafana, is said to have received two yellow cards in earlier matches, which should have suspended him for the March qualifier.

FIFA rules state that a team can lose three points if an ineligible player participates—only if the opposing team files a protest within 24 hours.

On Tuesday, reports appeared claiming FIFA had cleared South Africa, citing a post on FIFA’s X account.

However, NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, denied these claims in a conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He emphasized that no official communication has been received from FIFA regarding the matter.

“There has been no formal notice from FIFA. People are just referring to a tweet, which we do not consider official,” Olajire said.

Currently, in Group C standings, South Africa leads with 17 points from eight matches. Benin Republic follows with 14 points, while Rwanda and Nigeria are tied at 11 points each. Lesotho has 6 points, and Zimbabwe sits at the bottom with 4 points.