World football governing body FIFA has implemented a three points, three goals deduction on Equatorial Guinea for fielding an ineligible player in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
The Central Africans beat both Namibia and Liberia 1-0 in November 2023 but Fifa awarded their opponents technical 3-0 wins six months later because the National Thunder fielded Emilio Nsue, who scored the winner in both games.
Nsue who is the country’s all time top scorer was deem ineligible to play due to nationality dispute after representing Spain at various youth levels, before deciding to switch to the African nation.
Equatorial Guinea are now facing a tough task to make it as the second best placed team which will guarantee them a playoff spot owing to the point deduction. A similar fate awaits South Africa who also fielded an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena.
Mokoena was supposed to be suspended for the game against Lesotho after picking up two bookings in previous games, but played in the 2-0 win leaving the country with a potential three points, three goals deduction.
The ruling against Equatorial Guinea has now strike fears into the camp of South Africa Hugo with the potential of Benin Republic going level on point with them, and Nigeria falling to just three points behind them when the points deduction is enforced.
However they will still be favourite in their group, but it will now mean that they need to win their remaining two games to be sure of making it to the 2026 World Cup.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
