Ahmed Musa has warned that Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may depend entirely on the outcome of disciplinary actions against Lesotho, who are under scrutiny for allegedly fielding ineligible players during their qualifier clash against South Africa. Speaking at his first press conference as General Manager of Kano Pillars on Thursday, July 11, the former Super Eagles captain described the situation as dire, saying “only a miracle” can get Nigeria to the tournament.
Lesotho, who shocked South Africa with a controversial draw in the qualifiers, are accused of violating FIFA’s fair play rules by featuring two players who should have been suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. According to reports, the case has been escalated to FIFA, and a ruling is expected within the coming weeks. If Lesotho are found guilty, FIFA could award the match points to Nigeria, a development Musa says is the team’s last shot at qualification.
Nigeria, currently struggling in Group C after a string of underwhelming performances, has found itself on the brink of missing out on back-to-back World Cups. With just three points from four matches, the Super Eagles trail behind South Africa and Rwanda. Musa, known for his forthrightness, did not sugarcoat the situation, stating, “Right now, we are in deep shit. We’re hoping FIFA can intervene—otherwise, we’re done.”
As a former national team captain and now a club administrator, Musa’s blunt admission signals the growing frustration among stakeholders and fans. The hope is that FIFA’s disciplinary committee will act decisively, potentially nullifying Lesotho’s results and redistributing points, which could alter the group standings in Nigeria’s favor.
Lesotho’s alleged infraction, if confirmed, would violate Articles 55 and 56 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, which governs player eligibility and sanctions. Football analysts argue that similar cases in the past have led to forfeited matches and point reversals, raising cautious optimism among Nigerian supporters.
Despite the grim outlook, Musa urged Nigerians to remain hopeful but realistic, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding the team structurally if the country fails to qualify. “This is a wake-up call for Nigerian football. We must take this seriously—our World Cup ticket should never rest on legal technicalities.”
With FIFA expected to announce a verdict before the next qualifying window opens in September 2025, Nigeria’s football future hangs precariously in the balance, awaiting what many are calling a potential ‘boardroom miracle.’
