World Cup Qualifier: FIFA Releases Official Statement on South Africa vs Nigeria Showdown

• South Africa and Nigeria are scheduled to compete in the second leg of their World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday evening
• FIFA has issued a significant statement ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the two leading African football nations
• The statement from the football governing body elicited varied reactions from social media users.

Football governing body, FIFA, has issued a key statement ahead of the mouth-watering 2026 World Cup qualifiers between Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Bafana Bafana will host the Super Eagles at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, with the home side recently named the favourites to win the encounter.

Hugo Broos' side extended their lead at the top of Group C with a 3-0 win against Lesotho on Friday, September 5, 2025, but Nigeria responded a day later with a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

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The major controversy surrounding the match between South Africa and Nigeria is that the latter must win to improve their chances of qualifying for the World Cup, while Bafana Bafana are waiting for FIFA's judgment concerning Teboho Mokoena's eligibility after he was fielded against Lesotho despite being ineligible.

FIFA statement ahead of SA vs Nigeria

FIFA has snubbed the ongoing call from Nigeria to deduct Bafana Bafana points for fielding an ineligible player while releasing an official statement ahead of their showdown.

The football governing body explained how South Africa can qualify for the 2026 World Cup ahead of facing Nigeria.

"Two more teams could secure @fifaworldcup 26 qualification today! 👀 Egypt 🇪🇬 will qualify if they beat Burkina Faso, while South Africa 🇿🇦 will qualify if they beat Nigeria, and Benin fail to beat Lesotho," the statement reads on X

While netizens flooded the comment section of FIFA's statement about the qualification process, reactions to the statement were mainly about the point deduction issue.

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Omo_IyaElewedu said:

"What about the case of ineligible player used by South Africa against Lesotho? You guys should do the right thing😡"

Emeka_RFST wrote:

"@FIFAcom what about the South Africa 3 points deduction we all agreed would happen after they fielded an ineligible player🙄 Agreement is Agreement oO, sharply activate🤷."

Umlando shared:

"This is as clear indication as any that there will be no point deduction. chest pains in Lagos."

Fajakz implied:

"South Africa wants to go to the world cup to embarrass themselves as usual, the only host never to make it out of the group stage, you better allow Nigeria qualify so that they can represent the continent better."

gwaniforlife reacted:

"Dear Super Eagles, beat South Africa or else don’t bother coming back. We can’t afford to lose our World Cup spot, as the true giant of Africa & the only nation capable of stopping Argentina from winning the title back-to-back."

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Bafana Bafana star calls for victory over Nigeria in their World Cup qualifiers

AbKoolDj added:

"So many permutations but we’re number on the log is crazy 😂😭"

Broos hails Mamelodi Sundowns star

Briefly News also reported that Hugo Broos showered praises on a Mamelodi Sundowns star after his performance against Lesotho and also in training ahead of the Nigeria clash.

The Belgian tactician also highlights some of the qualities of the Premier Soccer League star.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News