Former Nigeria youth international Taiwo Oloyede has hailed FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player, calling it an answered prayer for Nigerians — but he has warned that the Super Eagles will waste the opportunity if they fail to rise to the challenge.
“Thank God for Nigeria, God has answered our prayer,” Oloyede told sports247 in reaction to the sanction. He urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to “put all hands on deck” to motivate the team and ensure the lifeline does not go to waste.
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According to him, the players themselves must now show character and responsibility. “The boys should stand up to their responsibility. They should not disappoint themselves, the federal government, or our sport-loving president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stressed.
Oloyede described the ruling as a second chance for Nigeria, but cautioned against arrogance or complacency. “They must win both remaining matches with goals, but without overconfidence or underestimating their opponents,” he warned.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s punishment overturned South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March, handing Lesotho a 3-0 forfeit win instead. That decision slashed South Africa’s tally from 17 to 14 points, leaving them level with Benin and just three points ahead of Nigeria and Rwanda in Group C.
With two fixtures left to play, Oloyede’s words echo the growing consensus among Nigerian supporters: the Super Eagles have been handed a lifeline, but only hard work, focus, and hunger will decide if it leads to a World Cup ticket.
