(DDM) – Nigerian football fans have reacted with frustration, doubt, and mixed emotions following FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the world football governing body confirmed the sanction earlier this week, ruling that South Africa violated competition rules by featuring Mokoena despite his suspension status.
While the disciplinary verdict has altered the group standings on paper, many Nigerians remain unconvinced that the development will significantly improve the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Across social media platforms, several fans dismissed the punishment as “too little, too late.” One user, identified as @mezzymichaels, argued that Nigeria’s real challenge lies not with South Africa but with their own inconsistent form. “This doesn’t change anything.
Nigeria will still struggle to beat Benin in Uyo,” he wrote, stressing that the Super Eagles cannot rely on sanctions to mask poor performances.
Another Nigerian fan, @Abass193, echoed the same skepticism. He noted that South Africa still holds the advantage in their remaining fixtures, particularly since they are scheduled to play Zimbabwe and Rwanda at home.
“There’s no way they won’t get at least four points from the remaining games,” he added, suggesting that the deduction may not derail Bafana Bafana’s qualification bid.
For some, the decision only reignited painful memories of Nigeria’s earlier slip-ups in the qualifiers. One supporter, @hayourbahme, admitted that the points deduction now makes Nigeria’s goalless draw away in Johannesburg look even more costly. “That draw feels more painful to be honest.
It will take a miracle for the Super Eagles to win this group,” he lamented.
Other fans shifted the blame inward, highlighting the failures of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the players themselves.
In a particularly harsh critique, @pianopianoOAG wrote: “Deduction or no deduction, we are not going to qualify. Our players are a bunch of idiots… NFF is the problem.”
Another observer, @Jhay_raven01, stressed that Nigeria already squandered their opportunity.
He argued that even with FIFA’s ruling, qualification remains slim unless the Super Eagles win all their remaining matches while hoping South Africa drops points.
Football analysts believe the ruling has created a slight window of opportunity for Nigeria, but the consensus remains clear: progress to the World Cup will depend less on South Africa’s slip-ups and more on whether the Super Eagles can rediscover their rhythm, unity, and attacking edge in the final rounds of qualifiers.
As it stands, FIFA’s sanction may have shifted the group table on paper, but for Nigerian fans, the real battle remains on the pitch, where consistent victories are the only true ticket to the World Cup.