The news that FIFA has deducted three points from South Africa for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerian football fans, with many dismissing the sanction as coming too late to save the Super Eagles’ fading World Cup hopes.
On social media, frustration was the dominant mood.
@mezzymichaels wrote:
Doesn’t change anything. Nigeria will still struggle to beat Benin in Uyo.
Zimbabwe and Lesotho are playing in South Africa as home ground against South Africa. Good luck to Benin Republic if any.
@Abass193 shared similar doubts:
Too late for the Super Eagles and all the teams in the group. South Africa is playing their next match away ‘(at home)’ against Zimbabwe and also playing their last match against Rwanda at home again.
There’s no way they won’t get at least 4 points from the remaining games.
For @hayourbahme, the ruling only deepens the pain of earlier missed opportunities:Now that draw away in South Africa feels more painful to be honest. Will take a miracle for the Super win this group.
Others turned their anger inward, blaming Nigeria’s failures on poor performances and weak administration rather than FIFA’s sanction.
@pianopianoOAG lashed out:
“They want to shame Nigeria for deducting just 3 points. Deduction or no deduction oooo. We are not going to qualify. Our players are a bunch of idiots… Because of money, you can only see their best when they play for their clubs.
NFF is the problem.
Another fan, @Jhay_raven01, highlighted Nigeria’s own mistakes:
We already messed up by not getting the 3 points against SA. We still have to hope they drop points in any of their final two games and we have to win all our games. It just seems impossible.
Across the board, the consensus remains clear: FIFA’s punishment may have altered the table, but Nigerians believe their World Cup dream rests on more than South Africa’s slip it hinges on the Super Eagles rediscovering their strength and consistency.
