By PETER AKINBO

The Super Eagles? 2026 World Cup qualification hopes have received a significant boost after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld FIFA?s decision to deduct six points from Equatorial Guinea for fielding an ineligible player, The PUNCH reports.

The West African nation had been docked six points?three each from victories against Namibia and Liberia?after it was found that striker Emilio Nsue was not eligible to represent the national team at the time. Nsue scored the decisive goals in both 1-0 wins last November.

In May, FIFA overturned both results and awarded 3-0 technical victories to Equatorial Guinea?s opponents after ruling that Nsue had not received the required clearance to switch international allegiance from Spain, where he previously featured at the youth level.

Despite having represented Equatorial Guinea for over a decade, FIFA declared his participation invalid.

CAS dismissed Equatorial Guinea?s appeal against the FIFA-imposed sanction, a decision that has major implications for Group H standings and significantly impacts Nigeria?s qualification prospects.

The ruling sees Equatorial Guinea drop from second place with 16 points to fifth position with 10 points in Group H. This dramatic shift elevates Namibia to second place with 15 points, keeping them in contention for the continental play-off round.

More crucially for Nigeria, the points deduction improves their chances in the race for the four best runners-up positions across all nine groups. With Group C currently showing South Africa leading with 17 points, followed by Benin on 14 and Nigeria on 11, the Eagles remain within striking distance of qualification.

The current runners-up rankings show Gabon leading with 19 points, followed by Madagascar and DR Congo both on 16 points, then Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Namibia and Uganda all on 15 points, with Benin on 14 points. Nigeria would need to finish among the top four to advance to the play-offs for the inter-confederation spot.

However, Nigeria?s qualification hopes may receive an additional boost if South Africa faces similar sanctions. The South African Football Association is currently under FIFA investigation for fielding Teboho Mokoena in a Group C fixture against Lesotho in March. Mokoena had received two yellow cards in previous matches and should have served a suspension.

If FIFA rules against South Africa, the three points earned in the win over Lesotho could be rescinded, potentially dropping the Bafana Bafana from 17 to 14 points, level with Benin and creating a more competitive scenario for Nigeria.

Such a decision would significantly alter Group C dynamics, as Nigeria are set to face both Lesotho (away) and Benin (home) in the final rounds. A favourable outcome in those matches, combined with potential South African sanctions, could dramatically improve the Eagles? qualification prospects.

The 2026 World Cup will see nine African teams qualify directly, with the four best runners-up competing in play-offs to determine which team advances to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Nigeria will be hoping that the precedent set by Equatorial Guinea?s case could work in their favour should FIFA rule on South Africa?s situation, potentially opening up more pathways to qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.(PUNCH)

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