Sunday Oliseh has warned that FIFA could sanction South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, a decision that may drastically alter Group C of the World Cup qualifiers
Nigeria legend and FIFA technical expert Sunday Oliseh has cautioned that South Africa risk heavy sanctions from FIFA over the eligibility row involving midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards, featured against Lesotho in March, prompting the latter to file an official protest demanding South Africa be docked three points and handed a 3-0 defeat in line with FIFA rules.
“To the best of my knowledge South Africa is in trouble,” Oliseh told Soccernet.ng, stressing that federations bear responsibility for ensuring only eligible players are fielded.
South Africa’s legal team argue Mokoena served his suspension against Benin, but Lesotho insists SAFA cannot decide when bans apply. Oliseh noted FIFA’s lengthy decision-making process but warned the Super Eagles not to rely on bureaucracy. “Any point deduction sanction is useless to us as Nigerians if we do not best South Africa on Tuesday,” he said.
Nigeria face South Africa in Bloemfontein in a crucial must-win clash.