By OLANREWAJU AKOJEDE

Stakeholders say Nigeria?s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been reignited following the sanction imposed on South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.

They spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the world football governing body overturned South Africa?s 2-0 March win over Lesotho because midfielder Teboho Mokoena was unlawfully fielded.

In its ruling, FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 forfeit victory and fined the South African Football Association 10,000 Swiss Francs (?9,340).

The decision alters the Group C table dramatically, injecting fresh belief into Nigeria?s fading qualification path.

According to recent standings, South Africa lead Group C with 17 points and a +8 goal difference.

Benin holds second place with 14 points.

Nigeria sits third with 11 points and a +2 goal difference. Rwanda also has 11 points, but inferior goal difference.

Former Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Chairperson, Aisha Falode, called the sanction a ?lifeline? for Nigeria.

?Football is governed by rules and consequences. South Africa knowingly fielded an ineligible player,? she said, urging no complacency.

She also questioned Lesotho?s silence, suggesting complicity, and urged FIFA to further investigate to protect the game?s integrity.

Falode emphasised that Nigeria must win their last fixtures ? versus Lesotho and Benin ? and hope for favourable results elsewhere.

Veteran coach Kennedy Boboye echoed the sentiment: the deduction means little without serious performances from the Super Eagles.

?South Africa?s punishment isn?t the main thing. The Eagles must show commitment. Qualification depends on our remaining matches,? Boboye said.

He criticised Nigeria?s inconsistency, noting that earlier home victories would have eased their burden now.

?If we had won home games earlier, we wouldn?t depend on external events. Now everything hinges on seriousness,? he added.

South Africa?based coach Emmanuel Odidika was sharper in his criticism, flagging the team?s lack of urgency, discipline and spirit.

He argued that Nigeria should already have secured qualification and lamented that FIFA?s decision exposed deeper faults.

?The point deduction should have guaranteed qualification. Instead, it reveals the Eagles? struggles. They lack focus and urgency,? Odidika said.

He singled out Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong for underwhelming displays, while praising Calvin Bassey and Terem Moffi for commitment.

Odidika also blamed some players for prioritising personal distractions over national duty, frustrating millions of fans.

In spite of their different emphases, Falode, Boboye and Odidika agreed that Nigeria?s qualification depends squarely on winning both remaining games.

With South Africa?s deduction reshaping Group C, Nigeria?s campaign now hinges on focus, grit and clinical execution in must-win encounters. (NAN)

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