The Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG) has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take proactive steps in ensuring that FIFA’s decision on the ongoing disciplinary case involving South Africa does not unfairly jeopardize Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by its National President, Barrister Kamal Adefila, CSNGG described the unfolding developments as a “calculated distraction” engineered by certain disgruntled elements within and outside the football ecosystem, warning that the same pattern of internal sabotage contributed to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
According to Adefila, “At what point did Peter Obi or any of these alarmists approach the NFF to get the real state of affairs of our stadiums or football administration before peddling false narratives? CAF and FIFA are high-standard organizations with world-class auditing and compliance systems. The NFF has consistently earned a clean bill of health from both bodies, so the sudden wave of criticism is not only unfounded but also suspicious.”
The group expressed concern that the FIFA disciplinary ruling involving South Africa’s use of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their March 2025 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho, has been politicized and could affect the balance of Group C — where Nigeria, South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe are all vying for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
CSNGG noted with alarm that while Lesotho, whose home stadium failed CAF inspection, was allowed to play its “home” games in South Africa, Benin Republic, facing the same situation, was forced to host theirs in Côte d’Ivoire — even though Nigeria was their closest and most logistically convenient neighbour.
“These inconsistencies raise legitimate questions about fairness and equity,” Adefila said. “Nigeria must not be treated as a bystander in decisions that directly affect its qualification chances. We are all federating units of FIFA, and South Africa cannot be used to determine our football destiny.”
The statement further revealed that CSNGG has credible intelligence indicating that some discredited figures in the football administration space are attempting to weaponize the issue to destabilize the NFF and sow division ahead of the decisive qualifiers in early 2026.
“These are the same self-serving individuals who, like spoilt children, would rather destroy the house than be denied toys. Football administration is a serious business for serious people, not a survival strategy for failed actors,” Adefila added.
He stressed that FIFA’s prolonged silence on the final implications of South Africa’s sanction has created unnecessary uncertainty that could affect preparations and player morale.
“We cannot afford another déjà vu of the 2022 cycle. Then, we had the players, the support, and the potential — but noise and confusion from within became our undoing. This time, everyone must plough in the same direction,” Adefila said.
CSNGG commended the NFF leadership under President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi for “steadying the ship” and building competitive teams across all categories, noting that recent CAF and FIFA audits have recognized Nigeria’s compliance and development strides.
The group also urged the National Sports Commission, recently reinstated by the President, to assert its coordinating role in safeguarding Nigeria’s sports interests at the global level.
“It is imperative for the NSC to step in, engage FIFA diplomatically, and ensure that Nigeria’s rights as a footballing nation are not compromised under any guise,” Adefila said.
The CSNGG president announced that the organization will soon host a civil society policy forum and press conference to mobilize public support for the NFF and raise awareness about the dangers of politicizing football administration
“Our advocacy will continue until all stakeholders understand that national football development is not an arena for chaos or ego wars but a vehicle for unity, youth empowerment, and global rebranding,” he concluded.
