By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a major boost after world football governing body, FIFA, deducted three points and three goals from South Africa in Group C of the African qualifiers.
The disciplinary decision, announced late Monday, reshaped the Group C standings, moving Benin Republic to the top with 14 points, while South Africa dropped from joint-first to second place. The new ruling also narrows the gap for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who now sit just three points behind the leaders with two games to play.
Updated Group C Table
The revised table has effectively turned Group C into a three-way battle for the top spot, with Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa now level on 11 points, chasing Benin at 14.
While FIFA has not officially released the full disciplinary document, reports suggest South Africa was sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player during one of their qualifying matches. The punishment included a deduction of three points and a goals penalty, a decision consistent with FIFA’s rules on player eligibility.
This ruling mirrors past cases where national teams faced similar sanctions, reinforcing FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance on breaches of player registration and eligibility protocols.
For the Super Eagles, the decision is a lifeline. Nigeria had struggled through the qualifiers with a string of draws, but with the new table, qualification is back within reach.
Nigeria’s last two fixtures will now be crucial:
A win in both matches could see Nigeria leapfrog rivals and secure top spot in the group, which guarantees automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The development has sparked widespread reaction among Nigerian football fans.
On social media platform X, one supporter wrote: “FIFA just gave us a second chance. If the Super Eagles don’t take it, then they don’t deserve to be at the World Cup.”
Another fan added: “We can’t keep relying on FIFA rulings. Nigeria must show up on the pitch and fight for qualification.”
Meanwhile, South African fans expressed frustration, with some accusing FIFA of “double standards” in applying disciplinary rules.
Football analysts say the decision makes Group C one of the most competitive in the African qualifiers. With four teams now separated by just three points, every remaining fixture is set to carry World Cup-level intensity.
Sports journalist Chinedu Obinna told Vanguard: “This is a huge opportunity for Nigeria, but also a warning. The Super Eagles can no longer afford complacency. Rwanda and Benin are proving they are not pushovers, while South Africa will come fighting harder after this setback.”
Africa will have nine automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup, with a possible 10th through intercontinental playoffs. But for Nigeria a six-time World Cup participant anything short of direct qualification will be seen as a national disappointment.
With FIFA’s ruling reshaping the table, the Super Eagles’ fate is back in their own hands. The next 180 minutes of football will determine whether Nigeria books its ticket to North America or misses out on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
