The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has responded to calls for South Africa to be sanctioned after fielding an unqualified player in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho.

The Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, March 21 to secure top spot in Group C.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards during the qualifiers, played in the game for 82 minutes before being substituted.

Mokoena received his first booking in the qualifiers during South Africa's 2-1 home win against Benin Republic in November 2023, with the booking occurring in the 54th minute.

His second yellow card was issued during South Africa's 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe in June 2024. According to FIFA regulations, a player is ineligible to play in the next match after receiving two yellow cards in the World Cup qualifiers.

“If players or team officials receive two cautions in one match (in matches decided by penalties) or in two different matches of the competition, they will be automatically suspended from their team’s subsequent match,” FIFA states in its rule book.

Reacting to the development, NFF Communication Director Ademola Olajire has confirmed that the federation has not yet received any response from FIFA concerning the issue.

“We have not. That is up to FIFA. But the rule is the rule,” Olajire told All Nigeria Soccer.

Despite flouting the regulation, South Africa might evade any form of sanctions as Lesotho's official complaints to the football governing body was lodged late.

“Protests regarding the eligibility of players selected for matches in the preliminary competition shall be submitted in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match in question and followed up with a full written report, including a copy of the original protest, to be submitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in accordance with the applicable provisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and by email to qualifiers@fifa.org within 24 hours of the end of the match; otherwise, they will be disregarded,” FIFA stipulates.

WDN