The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has dismissed reviews suggesting FIFA has cleared South Africa of any wrongdoing within the ongoing participant ineligibility saga involving Teboho Mokoena.
Ademola Olajire, NFF director of communications, advised the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that it had not obtained any official communication from FIFA on the matter.
“There was no official communication to that impact. What individuals are reporting is a tweet on their (FIFA) X account. We don’t regard that as official communication,” he stated.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana danger FIFA sanctions after their midfielder, Mokoena, was fielded towards Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier, after receiving two yellow playing cards, earlier within the marketing campaign.
By FIFA guidelines, two yellow playing cards from separate matches end in a one-match suspension however Mokoena performed within the subsequent recreation, which South Africa gained 2-0.
Lesotho promptly filed a protest, asking FIFA to award them a 3-0 win and dock South Africa three factors.
Six months on, FIFA had but to subject a proper resolution, whereas the delay added uncertainty to the state of affairs within the CAF World Cup qualifying Group C desk.
NAN reviews that if Lesotho’s protest stands, South Africa will lose the match and three factors, whereas Lesotho acquire a 3-0 win with three factors.
Nevertheless, if FIFA finds the protest invalid or filed incorrectly, South Africa might keep away from punishment and retain the already amassed 17 factors.
As issues stand, Nigeria should give attention to successful upcoming matches, whereas awaiting FIFA’s verdict.
Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa on Tuesday meant the Tremendous Eagles occupied the second spot on the log with 11 factors from eight matches.
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The Tremendous Eagles’ subsequent recreation is an away match to Lesotho on the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on 10 October, earlier than wrapping up their marketing campaign on 16 October towards the Benin Republic in Uyo.
Because it stands, South Africa stay in a powerful place to prime the group with 17 factors from eight matches, whereas second positioned Benin Republic are on 14 factors.
Fourth-placed Rwanda are tied on 11 factors with Nigeria, whereas Lesotho (6 factors) and Zimbabwe (4 factors) full the six-team desk.
Nigeria might now have to win all their remaining video games or accept a play-off route.
(NAN)
