African Football Discussion Thread {Male & Female} Current Topic: 👉 WAFCON

[Fiatless]

FIFA made the right decision. South Africa are in the wrong here, even though the other teams were silent I’m sure that a lot of eyes were watching to see how FIFA would handle the situation. Best believe that it would have caused a uproar if South Africa were not punished. Regardless of our situation, I still have hope that the Super Eagles will make it to the World Cup.

Has FIFA already sanctioned South Africa with a point reduction? I checked some newspapers and didn't see any news that Bafana Bafana has been punished.  I believe that almost all Nigerians want them to lose these three points since it will give the Super Eagles a bigger lifeline to qualify in the group. Even if the three points reduction happens, the Super Eagles need to win the remaining matches to get the World Cup ticket.

[Pokapoka124]

FIFA made the right decision. South Africa are in the wrong here, even though the other teams were silent I’m sure that a lot of eyes were watching to see how FIFA would handle the situation. Best believe that it would have caused a uproar if South Africa were not punished. Regardless of our situation, I still have hope that the Super Eagles will make it to the World Cup.

Has FIFA already sanctioned South Africa with a point reduction? I checked some newspapers and didn't see any news that Bafana Bafana has been punished.  I believe that almost all Nigerians want them to lose these three points since it will give the Super Eagles a bigger lifeline to qualify in the group. Even if the three points reduction happens, the Super Eagles need to win the remaining matches to get the World Cup ticket.

I’m not certain, the link in the OP, the Ghanian sports news site claims that FIFA reduced points from Bafana Bafana but when I checked online I just now there is no information on any reputable website to confirm the news.

[Fiatless]

I’m not certain, the link in the OP, the Ghanian sports news site claims that FIFA reduced points from Bafana Bafana but when I checked online I just now there is no information on any reputable website to confirm the news.

Lesotho that was supposed to report the to FIFA withdrew their petition claiming that it was not done timely since a protest should be sent to FIFA within a specific time (maybe 24 hours). But it is believed that South Africa used diplomacy to stop them from protesting since both countries have close diplomatic ties.  What most sports analysts are saying is that FIFA can still investigate South Africa even without a protest submission and they can be sanctioned if found guilty. 

It is disappointing that Nigeria is now hoping for a point reduction to boast their chances of qualifying. 

[Pokapoka124]

I’m not certain, the link in the OP, the Ghanian sports news site claims that FIFA reduced points from Bafana Bafana but when I checked online I just now there is no information on any reputable website to confirm the news.

Lesotho that was supposed to report the to FIFA withdrew their petition claiming that it was not done timely since a protest should be sent to FIFA within a specific time (maybe 24 hours). But it is believed that South Africa used diplomacy to stop them from protesting since both countries have close diplomatic ties.  What most sports analysts are saying is that FIFA can still investigate South Africa even without a protest submission and they can be sanctioned if found guilty.  

It is disappointing that Nigeria is now hoping for a point reduction to boast their chances of qualifying.  

I’m not so sure about the news circulating on this thread that FIFA reduced South Africa’s points because when I made a google search, the only news I can see is that Bafana Bafana have been moved a rank higher in the FIFA rankings courtesy of their win against Lesotho so where is the news of sanctions on Bafana Bafana coming from?
source

[Amphenomenon]

No points have been deducted from South Africa, even if they do it wouldn't matter because as of now, South Africa is nearly double our points and removing 3 points from them still keeps them points away from us.

I am already accepting this bit of reality and the next thing I'm thinking is which African country should we throw our support behind, by we I mean we as Nigerians considering that our super eagles have disappointed us and it looks like they're not going to make it to the World Cup.

Do we support our West African brothers the Ghanaians?

Supporting the Ghanaian team would literally be too ironic after all the fight we had.

To be honest it might be difficult for me to pick another African Nation to support. Another World Cup without Nigeria won't be really fun. I wasn't so much into the the 2022 World Cup because of it. Maybe I might be rooting for Morocco or maybe any other but definitely not Ghana nor South Africa.

[SatoPrincess]

No points have been deducted from South Africa, even if they do it wouldn't matter because as of now, South Africa is nearly double our points and removing 3 points from them still keeps them points away from us.

I am already accepting this bit of reality and the next thing I'm thinking is which African country should we throw our support behind, by we I mean we as Nigerians considering that our super eagles have disappointed us and it looks like they're not going to make it to the World Cup.

Do we support our West African brothers the Ghanaians?

Supporting the Ghanaian team would literally be too ironic after all the fight we had.

To be honest it might be difficult for me to pick another African Nation to support. Another World Cup without Nigeria won't be really fun. I wasn't so much into the the 2022 World Cup because of it. Maybe I might be rooting for Morocco or maybe any other but definitely not Ghana nor South Africa.

It’s not even possible. I would be surprised if there was a Nigerian supporting Ghana in the World Cup.

Watching the World Cup when your country isn’t playing in the tournament is difficult for me, and like you I wasn’t so much invested in the 2022 FIFA World Cup although I had my eyes on players like Mbappe, Grealish and also Lionel Messi to see how they would perform.

[Juicyhome]

I’m not so sure about the news circulating on this thread that FIFA reduced South Africa’s points because when I made a google search, the only news I can see is that Bafana Bafana have been moved a rank higher in the FIFA rankings courtesy of their win against Lesotho so where is the news of sanctions on Bafana Bafana coming from?
source

I think it was just April fool , i saw the news and i could not get a reliable source to verify it, and the news was circulated on April 1st. so do not take it to heart, i knew Nigerian guy brought out that rumor to give Nigerians hope. so do not take it serious its a fake news, South Africa is still topping the group and they are sure of maintaining the position, they had no case with Fifa to warrant the deduction of points. so discard the news

[Salahmu]

That's serious, I thought they will not deduct the point from them since I heard that the South Africa was trying to resolve it with the Lesotho team, though somebody here suspected this to happen to South African and it has finally happen to them, however this means that Lesotho will now have point more than super eagles because they had 6 points before then and now that it has been awarded to them they will now have 9 while the super eagles will be 7 point, this means the eagles are back to fift position they started this year.

FIFA made the right decision. South Africa are in the wrong here, even though the other teams were silent I’m sure that a lot of eyes were watching to see how FIFA would handle the situation. Best believe that it would have caused a uproar if South Africa were not punished. Regardless of our situation, I still have hope that the Super Eagles will make it to the World Cup.

Of course South Africa deserve it, but however we are just the ones considering the three points while they're not even bordered about it because after everything it was as if nothing happens to there points and if perhaps somebody has not check there points earlier before now it will be unnoticeable, they are actually a very confident team who look all the clubs as people who doesn't have their kind of capacity. However this break is going to be one of the longest break they have gone because they might be staying up to five months, but however before the end of year we would no the country that will go this time, but the only remaining tough match for South Africa is the super eagles while all the remaining tough match for eagles is all the match except Lesotho, so is either coming out in a hard way for eagles or not coming at all.

[Odusko]

I’m not so sure about the news circulating on this thread that FIFA reduced South Africa’s points because when I made a google search, the only news I can see is that Bafana Bafana have been moved a rank higher in the FIFA rankings courtesy of their win against Lesotho so where is the news of sanctions on Bafana Bafana coming from?
source

I think it was just April fool , i saw the news and i could not get a reliable source to verify it, and the news was circulated on April 1st. so do not take it to heart, i knew Nigerian guy brought out that rumor to give Nigerians hope. so do not take it serious its a fake news, South Africa is still topping the group and they are sure of maintaining the position, they had no case with Fifa to warrant the deduction of points. so discard the news

The jokers who made that up that South Africa's point got reduced were motivated by the fact that South Africa has been known for aggressive actions and fact check that they likely may have one or two cases against the South African team and for sure lot of social media user's will easily fall for such an April fools story at some point, Nigerians are angry because they failed to meet the requirements in points to be among the qualifying teams for the world cup.

[Pokapoka124]

I’m not so sure about the news circulating on this thread that FIFA reduced South Africa’s points because when I made a google search, the only news I can see is that Bafana Bafana have been moved a rank higher in the FIFA rankings courtesy of their win against Lesotho so where is the news of sanctions on Bafana Bafana coming from?
source

I think it was just April fool , i saw the news and i could not get a reliable source to verify it, and the news was circulated on April 1st. so do not take it to heart, i knew Nigerian guy brought out that rumor to give Nigerians hope. so do not take it serious its a fake news, South Africa is still topping the group and they are sure of maintaining the position, they had no case with Fifa to warrant the deduction of points. so discard the news

The news was posted on the 2nd of April so I doubt the author meant it as a April’s fool joke. Also the website that posted the news is called ModernGhana, I don’t think that it is a Nigerian site but a Ghanian site. And knowing the history between these countries, it’s unlikely a Ghanian blog would be eager to share news that help Nigeria.

[Fiatless]

The news was posted on the 2nd of April so I doubt the author meant it as a April’s fool joke. Also the website that posted the news is called ModernGhana, I don’t think that it is a Nigerian site but a Ghanian site. And knowing the history between these countries, it’s unlikely a Ghanian blog would be eager to share news that help Nigeria.

From all indications, it is fake news, and that should not be accepted since it didn't emanate from a reliable source. If FIFA sanctions South Africa the news will not be hidden. It will be reported in almost all the leading newspapers in Nigeria since it will bring joy and hope to Nigerians. The Ghanaian blog wants to use it to attract Nigerians to the platform..

[Pokapoka124]

It's been rumoured that South Africa fielded an illegible player in their 2 - 0 win against Lesotho. South Africa bridged a FIFA for this single act and will likely face punishment which is 3 points and e goals deduction. South Africa currently sits at the summit of their group with 13 points in 6 games played. If this punishment is served then 3 points will be taken away from them, this simply means that, they will be ahead of Rwanda and Benin Republic with 2 points instead of the actual 5 points.

It is not a rumor. They did field a player who was given a one match ban. At some point, I heard they blamed Nigerian officials for reporting them to FIFA because we lost to Zimbabwe. I don't think we did that. Whatever it is, South Africa will still be on top of the table like you have already said. It doesn't affect them still.

What South Africa did was a disgraceful act and should be condemned. It seems FIFA are exalting them instead of punishing them according to the rules and laws guiding the game. Points deduction or a fine should be given to them to serve as correction to any other nation that might be thinking of doing the same thing.

[snipie]

It is not a rumor. They did field a player who was given a one match ban. At some point, I heard they blamed Nigerian officials for reporting them to FIFA because we lost to Zimbabwe. I don't think we did that. Whatever it is, South Africa will still be on top of the table like you have already said. It doesn't affect them still.

What South Africa did was a disgraceful act and should be condemned. It seems FIFA are exalting them instead of punishing them according to the rules and laws guiding the game. Points deduction or a fine should be given to them to serve as correction to any other nation that might be thinking of doing the same thing.

FIFA Generally took much time before taking any decision. It took months in similar cases before. Nevertheless, South Africa will have to pay a fine and expect at worst points reduction. Well I assume this will not happen unless their odds to qualify weren't considerably affected. I mean if 3 points reduction will not affect their place, then FIFA will be easy to impose that, otherwise a fine will be enough because Lesotho didn't call at the proper timing for reports.
Blaming Nigeria is ridiculous because Lesotho is the one that was affected and paid FIFA attention for the incident, well after the deadline.

[Fiatless]

FIFA Generally took much time before taking any decision. It took months in similar cases before. Nevertheless, South Africa will have to pay a fine and expect at worst points reduction. Well I assume this will not happen unless their odds to qualify weren't considerably affected. I mean if 3 points reduction will not affect their place, then FIFA will be easy to impose that, otherwise a fine will be enough because Lesotho didn't call at the proper timing for reports.
Blaming Nigeria is ridiculous because Lesotho is the one that was affected and paid FIFA attention for the incident, well after the deadline.

If FIFA would have to wait until they are sure that the three points will not affect South Africa before they are punished, then it's unfair. Nigeria also faced the same sanctions of three points and three goals deduction when they fielded Abdullahi Shehu in the game against Algeria on 10 November 2017 (Nigeria forfeit Algeria match for fielding ineligible player)

FIFA decisions usually go through some bureaucratic process that delays it for some time, but Nigerians want to be swift to boost the chances of the Super Eagles qualification.

[Pokapoka124]

It is not a rumor. They did field a player who was given a one match ban. At some point, I heard they blamed Nigerian officials for reporting them to FIFA because we lost to Zimbabwe. I don't think we did that. Whatever it is, South Africa will still be on top of the table like you have already said. It doesn't affect them still.

What South Africa did was a disgraceful act and should be condemned. It seems FIFA are exalting them instead of punishing them according to the rules and laws guiding the game. Points deduction or a fine should be given to them to serve as correction to any other nation that might be thinking of doing the same thing.

FIFA Generally took much time before taking any decision. It took months in similar cases before. Nevertheless, South Africa will have to pay a fine and expect at worst points reduction. Well I assume this will not happen unless their odds to qualify weren't considerably affected. I mean if 3 points reduction will not affect their place, then FIFA will be easy to impose that, otherwise a fine will be enough because Lesotho didn't call at the proper timing for reports.
Blaming Nigeria is ridiculous because Lesotho is the one that was affected and paid FIFA attention for the incident, well after the deadline.

I don’t believe that. I agree with @Fiatless, it’s unfair if the delay by FIFA is because they don’t want the penalty to affect South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup. AFAIK, South Africa is the only African country to host the FIFA World Cup, it could be the reason why FIFA are not taking the case seriously. This might be far fetched but delaying judgment in sensitive matters often give room to conspiracy theories.

[Spaceman1000$]

FIFA Generally took much time before taking any decision. It took months in similar cases before. Nevertheless, South Africa will have to pay a fine and expect at worst points reduction. Well I assume this will not happen unless their odds to qualify weren't considerably affected. I mean if 3 points reduction will not affect their place, then FIFA will be easy to impose that, otherwise a fine will be enough because Lesotho didn't call at the proper timing for reports.
Blaming Nigeria is ridiculous because Lesotho is the one that was affected and paid FIFA attention for the incident, well after the deadline.

If FIFA would have to wait until they are sure that the three points will not affect South Africa before they are punished, then it's unfair. Nigeria also faced the same sanctions of three points and three goals deduction when they fielded Abdullahi Shehu in the game against Algeria on 10 November 2017 (Nigeria forfeit Algeria match for fielding ineligible player)

FIFA decisions usually go through some bureaucratic process that delays it for some time, but Nigerians want to be swift to boost the chances of the Super Eagles qualification.

I agree with you that ordinarily before FIFA will finally come to conclusion of that nature, they will have to take out time to verify the report before take a verdict will be taken.

 however I disagree with you about the fact that Nigerians want to be swift to boost the chances of the super Eagles qualification, don't forget that even when FIFA deducts that 3 points and 3 goals from south Africa, it won't still boost Nigerian chances because Bafana Bafana has 13 point, if 3 is deducted, they will still top the group because they have 10 points and Nigeria will be behind Rwanda and Benin.

 The super Eagles still has some games to still play but they've been inconsistent unlike Bafana Bafana, so even though 3 points are deducted from Bafana Bafana, the super Eagles will still find it difficult to qualify.

[SatoPrincess]

I really can’t say what the problem is with the Super Eagles and why they keep disappointing us on the international stage. We have a great team and a worthy squad, could it be that we are yet to get a good coach is that the problem or is it that the boys are not giving everything for the nation. What really is the problem? I have given a lot of thought and still couldn’t find any answers.

[Rruchi man]

I really can’t say what the problem is with the Super Eagles and why they keep disappointing us on the international stage. We have a great team and a worthy squad, could it be that we are yet to get a good coach

We could have a great coach, but because of the stupid deadline set by the NFF and the limited time he has to build the team, he may never be able to prove himself.

The day the NFF comes to the realization that jumping from one coach to another is not always a solution to the failing performance of our Super Eagles but rather giving one coach enough time to build the team, that is the day that we will actually see progress in our national team side.

Jose Poseiro still would have been good. He should have had more time.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

I really can’t say what the problem is with the Super Eagles and why they keep disappointing us on the international stage. We have a great team and a worthy squad, could it be that we are yet to get a good coach is that the problem or is it that the boys are not giving everything for the nation. What really is the problem? I have given a lot of thought and still couldn’t find any answers.

There are many things contributing to the team's poor performance and the main one is that the players aren't putting in their best performance for the country but you can't blame them because they have a job they have to get back to and when they put it all on the field without getting the same treatment back from the national side when they get injured or in wages, it affects their job.

Only players like Osimhen that's value highly at his club can take those risks as he does because no matter what happens to him , he has the backing of the club to make him recover fast to come score goals for them. You can see the results he give shis club when compared to that of the super eagles and that's because he isn't getting the quality he receives from his team players on club level.

[Roseline492]

I don’t believe that. I agree with @Fiatless, it’s unfair if the delay by FIFA is because they don’t want the penalty to affect South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup. AFAIK, South Africa is the only African country to host the FIFA World Cup, it could be the reason why FIFA are not taking the case seriously. This might be far fetched but delaying judgment in sensitive matters often give room to conspiracy theories.

Is true that when matters are being held for too long than how it was usually resolve will make people to think that those making the decision are trying to do something to favour those on there mind, but let us not be too judgemental about it because something might be making them take that long, I believe that was also the case of Libya because theirs also take long but doesn't mean there was something not right about it because they still gave there verdict against them, so actually weather South Africa was the only country that has host world Cup doesn't mean they want to give them opportunity to qualify, so if South Africa qualify is by merit and not by favour.