World Cup Qualifiers: NFF Writes FIFA Over Lesotho vs. South Afri

NFF Protests to FIFA: The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed a complaint, arguing that Lesotho and Zimbabwe playing home games in South Africa gives the Bafana Bafana an unfair advantage in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Call for Venue Change: The NFF is demanding that FIFA move Lesotho and Zimbabwe’s home matches against South Africa to neutral grounds to ensure fairness in the qualification race.
Super Eagles’ Qualification Challenge: With Nigeria currently fourth in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa by six points, the team faces a tough battle to secure a spot in the World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal protest with FIFA, challenging the fairness of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group C.

The concern arises from the fact that both Lesotho and Zimbabwe are hosting their home matches in South Africa, a direct rival in the group.

This arrangement effectively grants South Africa an unfair advantage, as they will play all their remaining qualifiers on home soil in a practical sense.

EkoHotBlog exclusively reports that the NFF is calling for FIFA’s intervention, insisting that Lesotho and Zimbabwe’s home games against South Africa be relocated to neutral venues.

The federation argues that allowing South Africa to play these fixtures at home undermines the principles of fair play and sportsmanship.

With South Africa currently topping the group with 13 points, followed by Rwanda (8 points), Benin (8 points), Nigeria (7 points), Lesotho (6 points), and Zimbabwe (4 points), every point is crucial in the battle for World Cup qualification.