The Super Eagles have been stripped of their AFCON qualification by the continent’s football governing body for fielding two unqualified players in the double-header against Benin and Lesotho.
Gernot Rohr’s men gained qualification in the aftermath of Benin game.
The Super Eagles had won the clash by a lone goal thanks to Paul Onuachu’s late minute header.
William Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina received two yellow cards each during the back-to-back encounters against Sierra Leone, which ended in a pulsating draw.
According to reports, the duo were ineligible to play against Benin after they had been booked twice.
The Disciplinary Committee of Caf confirmed the sanction imposed on the West African giants following the fielding of the ineligible players.
“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the following matches: Benin vs Nigeria and Nigeria Lesotho on March 27 and 30 respectively,” Caf statement read.
“The matches are declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Benin and Lesotho with the NFF also receiving a fine of CHF 12,000.
“The sanction relates to Wikkiam Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina failing to serve their automatic one-match suspension imposed on them as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition”‘
In this regard, Benin and Lesotho will be awarded 3 points each; taking their points accumulation now to 9 and 4 respectively despite failing to win against Nigeria.
This means Benin have now won automatic qualification for the tournament with a game to spare. While the Super Eagles are now second in Group L with 8 points, two adrift John Keister’s men, who sits third.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes now hinges on the outstanding game between Benin and Sierra Leone slated for June.
The match earlier scheduled to on hold on Tuesday was moved to a later date as five players from the camp of Benin Republic tested positive for coronavirus.
The Super Eagles will be hoping Benin Republic avoid a defeat in Freetown as victory for John Keister’s men would see them go level on points with the Squirrels, who already qualified.
Nigeria last missed the tournament in 2015 and 2017 and have won it thrice, 1980, 1994 and 2013.
