Nigeria’s Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, says the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup largely depend on the outcome of FIFA’s decision concerning South Africa’s controversial match against Lesotho.
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Speaking during his first press conference as General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, Musa noted that South Africa may have breached FIFA regulations by fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the June qualifier against Lesotho.
Mokoena, who had already accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches, was reportedly ineligible to play. Despite this, he featured in the match, which South Africa won 2-0.
Musa said Nigeria’s World Cup hopes now rest on a miracle, as the team is in deep trouble. However, he remains hopeful that FIFA’s ruling could revive Nigeria’s qualification chances.
Currently, Nigeria sit in fourth place in Group C with just 7 points from 6 matches. South Africa lead the group with 13 points from the same number of games.
A possible FIFA ruling against South Africa could see them lose points from the match and potentially have the victory awarded to Lesotho. Such an outcome would reshape the group standings and possibly bring Nigeria back into contention.
Beyond international football, Musa also shared his plans for Kano Pillars, promising a renewed focus on scouting local talent, securing sponsorships, and bringing in foreign players to strengthen the squad ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Ahmed Musa’s appointment as General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club was approved by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on July 14, 2025, as part of efforts to reposition the team ahead of the new NPFL season. The state government described his inclusion as a reflection of international best practices, aimed at bringing leadership, experience, and renewed ambition to the club’s management.
