Nigeria's Stumble
The Super Eagles squandered a golden opportunity to strengthen their qualification bid, conceding a heartbreaking 90th-minute equalizer to Zimbabwe after Victor Osimhen's 74th-minute header had seemingly secured victory. The result leaves Nigeria third in Group C with five points from three matches—four points behind South Africa, who remain unbeaten.
South Africa's Potential Sanction
The plot thickened when Lesotho's Football Association confirmed they had lodged a formal complaint with FIFA and CAF over South Africa's use of Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win on June 7. The midfielder was ineligible after accumulating two yellow cards during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which should have triggered an automatic suspension.
If upheld, the ruling could see South Africa stripped of their three points from that match, reducing their total from 10 to seven. Lesotho, meanwhile, would be awarded a 3-0 default win, moving them to nine points and potentially reshaping the group standings.
Chelle's Cautious Reaction
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle remained diplomatic when questioned about the controversy, insisting his focus remains on Nigeria's performances rather than external factors.
"I don’t want to speculate on that," Chelle said post-match. "We must focus on ourselves. I told the players to keep fighting for second place—they’ve worked hard, and I trust them. If South Africa loses points, then our final match against them becomes even more crucial."
What Happens Next?
CAF's Decision Pending: A ruling on South Africa’s alleged infringement could come within days.
Nigeria’s Uphill Battle: Even if South Africa is penalized, Nigeria must still win their remaining matches, including a decisive clash against Bafana Bafana.
Rwanda in the Mix: The group remains wide open, with Rwanda (4 pts) and Lesotho (3 pts) still in contention.
While Nigeria’s draw against Zimbabwe was a setback, the potential points deduction for South Africa offers a lifeline. However, the Super Eagles must improve drastically—especially in defense—to capitalize on any reprieve.
The coming days could prove pivotal in determining whether Nigeria salvages their World Cup dream or faces yet another qualification heartbreak.