'Fifa need to manage it' – Eric Chelle addresses South Africa's use of ineligible player Mokoena

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has called on Fifa to expedite a decision on the possible three-point deduction facing South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana risk losing points after midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation, featured in their March qualifier against Lesotho.

Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s crunch clash with South Africa in Bloemfontein, Chelle insisted it was Fifa’s responsibility to resolve the matter swiftly.

"I am just a coach, I lead my team. What happen around my team and the game. The talk about yellow card, there is an organization, this organization the name is FIFA," he told reporters during his press conference.

"Fifa need to manage it, this is not my problem. My problem is my players first because they are focused. After that, just think about our game but not what happened around the game or the story.

"But the reality, if I can tell you one on one something, I think FIFA need to manage it quickly."

Despite concerns raised about the condition of the Free State Stadium, Chelle praised the facility and emphasized Nigeria’s determination to secure all three points.

"I think it is a very good stadium. This is a big game for us and South Africa and we want to come and do our best game as we can," he said.

"We are focused on only game. We don't think about we play two days ago. We are focused on our game plan. My players are motivated about this game. We are happy to play a game like that, this is a big game."

Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 10 points, six behind leaders South Africa on 16.

With three matches left in the qualification series, Chelle hopes that a FIFA ruling in Nigeria’s favour could boost their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Adeyemi Adewale

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com