Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been handed fresh hope in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after FIFA confirmed an investigation into South Africa’s use of midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

Mokoena, who had already picked up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign – against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024 – should have served a one-match suspension. Instead, he was fielded in the game against Lesotho in March 2025, sparking calls for action.

For months, FIFA came under fire for delaying its response. Critics argued that it seemed as though South Africa were “above the law.” But in mid-September 2025, FIFA formally charged both Mokoena and the South African Football Association (SAFA) for breaching disciplinary rules.

According to reports from SABC Sport, SAFA has six days to respond to FIFA’s charges, after which the case will be reviewed by the disciplinary committee. Analysts believe the likely outcome will be that Lesotho are awarded three points and three goals, effectively nullifying the disputed match.

Football analyst Clinton McDubus described the case as “open-and-shut,” stressing that awarding Lesotho the win is the only fair outcome. He also noted that while the Super Eagles will benefit, Benin Republic could actually be the biggest winners if points are deducted from South Africa.

Currently, South Africa lead Group C with 17 points, followed by Benin with 14, and Nigeria in third with 11. Rwanda, also level with Nigeria, could still make things interesting depending on results in their remaining fixtures.

If the deduction stands, the group standings could be dramatically reshaped, giving Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda renewed hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup.