A total of nine players of the senior national team of Nigeria are one card away from missing the crucial world cup qualifiers game against South Africa in September, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria will go into the game in Johannesburg with the hope that world football governing body FIFA would have deducted three points from the tally of their host for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena who had picked up two previous bookings and was supposed to be suspended. FIFA punishes such offences with a three points, there goals deduction.
The current group leaders are six points clear of Nigeria, who will first play host to Rwanda in Uyo, before the game against South Africa when the game resumes in September.
Nine players could miss the game in Johannesburg if they pick up a booking against Rwanda in Uyo. The list includes two first choice defenders in Semi Ajayi who got yellow carded in the first game of the series against Lesotho, and Calvin Bassey who was yellow carded in the second game away to Zimbabwe.
In the same game against Zimbabwe, the duo of Sadiq Umar and Jamilu Collins were booked after coming on as substitutes. Bright Osayi-Samuel another who is a regular at full back is also on the edge of suspension after picking up a caution against South Africa.
Fringe right back Ismaila Sodiq was booked in the 1-2 loss to Benin Republic, where he was a second half substitute while the trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Tolu Arokodare were cautioned in the big 2-0 away win against Rwanda.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
