Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju believes the recent points deduction handed to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana by FIFA doesn’t significantly advantage the Super Eagles in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. On September 29, FIFA stripped South Africa of three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a match against Lesotho, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory instead.

New Group C Standings

The deduction has altered the Group C standings, with Benin now topping the group on goal difference, level with South Africa on 14 points, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles sit in third place on 11 points. Despite the change, Adepoju emphasized that the Super Eagles’ path to qualification remains challenging.

Adepoju’s Assessment

“For me, it is not that much of an advantage,” Adepoju stated. “The Super Eagles still need to win their remaining two matches and hope other results favor them.” He stressed that the team’s focus must be on their own performance, saying, “They don’t need much advice than be fired up to go and win the next two matches and see what happens.”

Upcoming Matches

The final two matchdays of the qualifiers will resume in October, with Bafana Bafana facing Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while the Super Eagles will travel to take on Lesotho before hosting Benin Republic in Uyo. Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, though the runners-up will have a chance to advance via a playoff process.