Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Nigeria once again appears to be banking on Bafana Bafana dropping points to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The qualifying campaign resumes this month, with South Africa and Nigeria set to clash in the Free State province soon.
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Hugo Broos’ men will also take on Lesotho, while the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Rwanda during the September international break.
As things stand, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations champions top Group C with 13 points, six clear of fourth-placed Nigeria.
However, Bafana could be at risk of losing three points following allegations that they fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their win over Lesotho.
Following the match, Likuena reportedly filed a complaint with FIFA concerning Mokoena’s eligibility. Meanwhile, on the other hand, Nigeria are also believed to be lobbying FIFA to sanction SA by deducting points.
That said, reports indicate that Lesotho submitted their protest outside the permitted time frame and now, FIFA has not listed the matter amongst the current cases under review.
Despite this, in a statement released ahead of their clash with Rwanda, Nigeria remain hopeful that the world football governing body will revisit the issue.
"The Matchday 7 encounter has become very crucial to both Nigeria and Rwanda as they are both wide away from group leaders South Africa, who have 13 points (prior to FIFA’s decision on their use of an ineligible player in the win over Lesotho in March this year)," The NFF said in a statement.
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"Rwanda are second in the pool with eight points, same as Benin Republic, with Nigeria in fourth on seven points. Lesotho have 6 points, with Zimbabwe propping up the table on four points.
"While the world still awaits FIFA’s decision, Nigeria and Rwanda will go for each other’s jugular in order to be appropriately-placed to benefit from Bafana Bafana’s error. The Crocodiles will leap to 9 points if South Africa are penalized for their infraction."
