Former Nigeria international Samuel Sodje has strongly criticised Nigerian football fans for celebrating South Africa’s point deduction in the World Cup qualifiers as if it were a festival.
FIFA handed the South African national team a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their match against Lesotho. As a result, South Africa were handed a 3-0 forfeit defeat, their points tally dropped from 17 to 14, and their goal difference was reduced from +2 to -3.
Reacting to the celebrations among Nigerian fans, Sodje said:
“It’s nice to see FIFA doing what they have to do. South Africa broke the rules, three points were deducted, and that’s normal. What’s surprising is that Nigerians are treating this as big news. I think it’s embarrassing.”
“We’ve put ourselves in a situation where we have to depend on South Africa losing points. If we think we have a chance—and I don’t think we have much—it should be earned on the pitch. With the kind of squad we have, with a big footballing nation like Nigeria, it’s not right to celebrate South Africa’s three points being taken away.”
“In short, it’s embarrassing. Hopefully, we can learn from this and, going forward, get things right on the pitch instead of relying on other teams losing points.”
There are only two matches left in the qualifiers, and only the team finishing first in the group is guaranteed progression to the tournament.