The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vehemently refuted recent unverified reports suggesting that FIFA, football’s global governing body, has dismissed Nigeria’s appeal concerning alleged player ineligibility by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF Secretary General, confirmed that the federation has received no official communication from FIFA regarding the rejection of its petition, which challenges the eligibility of certain DR Congo players in the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff.
This development follows the crucial CAF playoff final where Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced DR Congo for a coveted spot in the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The intensely contested match in November concluded with a 1-1 draw in regulation time, ultimately leading to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory for DR Congo. This result provisionally secured DR Congo’s advancement, leaving Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations hanging on the outcome of their appeal.
Immediately after the match, the Nigeria Football Federation lodged a formal petition with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo had fielded players who were ineligible to participate in the crucial fixture. Such appeals are a standard, albeit infrequent, component of international football regulations, allowing federations to challenge perceived breaches of rules that could impact match outcomes and qualification standings. The NFF’s action underscores its commitment to ensuring fair play and adherence to FIFA’s stringent eligibility criteria for all participating nations.
Speaking publicly on AIT television, Dr. Sanusi directly addressed the speculative reports, asserting the NFF’s position unequivocally. “The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wrote a petition to FIFA on the eligibility of some of the players of DR Congo, and if there is anything, FIFA will reply to the NFF,” Sanusi stated. He further clarified, “The NFF has not received any letter from FIFA saying they have thrown away our petition. We have checked our emails, and there was no letter from FIFA.”
FIFA’s procedures for handling such formal appeals typically involve a thorough review process, followed by official communication to the involved federations. This communication is strictly channeled through designated administrative avenues, often via official federation email addresses or secure online portals. The absence of such formal correspondence, as highlighted by Dr. Sanusi, is central to the NFF’s insistence that the reports of rejection are premature and baseless. Any substantive decision from FIFA would be conveyed directly to the NFF leadership.
The integrity of international football competitions, particularly the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, hinges significantly on the strict enforcement of player eligibility rules. Breaches, when proven, can lead to severe penalties, including forfeiture of matches, points deductions, or even disqualification from competitions. These regulations are designed to ensure a level playing field and uphold the fundamental principles of sportsmanship and fairness across all confederations. The NFF’s petition, therefore, touches upon a critical aspect of football governance.
For Nigeria, a nation with a deep passion for football and a strong history of World Cup participation, the outcome of this appeal holds immense significance. The Super Eagles’ journey through the qualification rounds is closely followed by millions of fans, and any potential pathway to the global showpiece event is met with fervent hope. The NFF’s continued pursuit of the appeal reflects the federation’s dedication to exhausting all available avenues to secure Nigeria’s rightful place on the international stage, should any regulatory breaches be confirmed.
As of now, the Nigeria Football Federation maintains that its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo remains under active consideration by FIFA. The federation awaits a formal and official response from the global football body before making any further statements or taking additional steps. The emphasis remains on the established channels of communication and the due process that FIFA is expected to follow in resolving such disputes. The NFF urges stakeholders and the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.
