₦airaland Forum

AAA593:
I just dey pray make Jamaica win DRC Congo. The way i go celebrate ehn

Nah , Africa first …we need dt 10slot and hope Dey perform well including MUMU GHANA, so Dey can increase African slot 2030

solonnachi:
Incase CAS favours Nigeria baaa?

Are we even sure nff filed a petition in CAS? Cos CAS confirmed Senegal petition,no news about Nigeria petition from CAS. I don’t trust those old hags running out football in the glasshouse.

I doubt if they can respond to an email sef

FiveFootNinja:
Just watched the highlights.

I really want Jamaica to punish those DRC goons but I'm honestly not impressed with their game against NC. They looked too scrappy to me. The team that played against us in the Unity Cup were more disciplined and had more firepower. I think they've made big switches to the roster since then. These set of reggae boyz are younger, more eager and they have the right ideas but their execution is mostly poor. Plus too many fouls.

I hope this is just me being negative and they can pull it off against DR Congo though.

No matter what I will always support an African team against any non African opposition

So I am rooting for dr Congo

minfelix:
Hakimi and his mom left this whatsapp group oo

Na lie jare…it’s so obvious it is a fake news ..Hakimi said nothing of such, by now u shld be able to easily detect a fake news na 🙄🙄

TheSuperNerd:
You are right. Morocco may succeeed in our own case but it also does blows open the players eligibility process of FIFA, kinda exposing their own incompetence or inconsistencies in players clearance process for new nations. Would FIFA have allowed that?

If Morocco had been the one to file this kind of petition, FIFA would have had no choice but to properly open and address the case. The unity within 🇲🇦 is undeniable ;look at the recent trophy decision. There’s been no public backlash from their journalists or citizens questioning its legitimacy. They stand together and defend their interests collectively.

In contrast, when it comes to Nigeria’s case against DR Congo, we see the opposite. Some of our own sports journalists and citizens were quick to criticize the NFF, accusing them of trying to reach the World Cup through the “backdoor.” This lack of unity weakens our position. A divided front makes it easier for external bodies to dismiss us without serious consideration.

From the outset, FIFA didn’t take Nigeria’s petition seriously, and our internal divisions only reinforced that. If we had collectively amplified our voices media, stakeholders, and citizens alike demanding a timely and fair review, FIFA would have been compelled to properly treat the case. Even if the outcome didn’t favor us, at least we would have had sufficient time to escalate the matter to CAS and pursue justice.

At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising if Jamaica is already preparing a similar petition should the need arise. FIFA’s response to Nigeria suggests there was merit in the case, and others may now look to take advantage of that precedent.

Karlovich:
It's okay bro, we should turn our focus to the friendly games and Nations cup qualifiers this year

No be Una fault na FIFA NO RATE US, even from the response Dey didn’t open or treat the case

All d excuse of not filing the petition properly and filing outside 24hrs rule are just flimsy excuses to knock out the petition.This shld have been communicated to nff within 2 to 3weeks the petition was first filed,it shldnt take three months plus b4 FIFA shld notice all dis …them no just rate us , or shld I say it was a deliberate act by FIFA,best reason known to dem


I put it to you guys if it were Morocco 🇲🇦 Dts in Nigerians position and filed the petition,Dey would be playing the playoff and not dr Congo..the mumu old hags running out football don’t know aw to play politics aspect of the game

mank1234:
On top of this:
Either they (NFF) scammed us on DRC case or FIFA avoided the case.

When they protested against RSA, did they pay? If they did, how come they didn't do same against DRC.

If they didnt, how come FIFA entertained the case filed after 24hrs without payment.

I am suspecting the d second option…FIFA’s verdict looks premeditated.Best reason known to them

do4luv14:
And they must not interfere in his team selections too

Besides had they given him what he was asking for before

And with the possibility of Govt changes in 2027, hmmm time will tell

Govt change as aw …u mean nff or federal govt…if it’s nff ,Dts possible since we failed to qualify for the World Cup but if it is federal govt and u feel such will happen,I get one airport wey I wan sell for u 😎

lbrichman2:
Unfortunately Chelle might pay for it
They might sack him and bring in a local coach

It will be d dumbest move ever if nff does dt. They shld Rada engage him with a 4year performance induce contract ,stating clearly in the contract that he must get to the next afcon final ;possibly win it and must qualify eagles for the 2030 World Cup and get to a second round/quarter final stage in 2030world cup . Any change to the coaching crew now will be a major step back

TheSuperNerd:
Lookman scores against Real Madrid!!!!

Adefire bombing the Bernabeu!

Where him Dey against dr Congo 🙄😏

mostob:
Why FIFA failed to honour the NFF's Protest against DR Congo

- Because Nigeria’s protest was submitted on November 28 for a match played on November 16, it fell well outside the allowable window.

- The NFF’s complaint was received by FIFA on November 28, 2025, nearly two weeks after the match in Rabat, falling well outside the allowable window.

- The NFF did not pay the mandatory protest fee of 1,000 Swiss francs, which must accompany such submissions. As a result, the case was not formally processed by FIFA’s judicial bodies.

Source: Kunle Solaja (Link to article below 👇🏽)

For reasons best known to FIFA, the organization appeared uninterested in this matter from the outset ,perhaps because a thorough investigation could expose shortcomings in its due diligence when clearing the DR Congo players. It is likely that any formal review of the petition would favor Nigeria; however, such a ruling could also prompt DR Congo to challenge FIFA legally, given that the governing body had initially approved the players’ eligibility.

TheSuperNerd:
Alexander "The Great" Iwobinho - Midfield Generalissimo

Wey no fit help us qualify for two World Cup 🙄😏

Dem Dey beat aloyinleponspor like tif. 😃😃😃

jihday:
hope your body don calm down now

🥲🥲🥲🥲😢😢😢😢

lovewins:
FIFA did what I expected them to do. They followed the example of the Nigerian supreme court - ignore the main issue and rule on technicalities. To be fair, the was the smartest thing for FIFA to do, even more smart was to delay the decision to make it almost impossible for Nigeria to go a favourable decision at CAS due to time constraint.

From the beginning, I've always emphasized that on paper Nigeria had a case, but ruling in Nigeria's favour was setting a precedent that FIFA quite frankly isn't ready for. The ripple effect could be so monumental I wouldn't be surprised if there are multiple teams guilty of the same infraction should it have gone Nigeria's way. The best outcome for FIFA was to sidestep the issue and wriggle out of it using technicalities.

If Jamaica 🇯🇲 lose dt match ,I can bet Dey would reopen the case ..who no wan go World Cup 😃


Nff really exposed FIFA with this petition

BankyGee:
Make them dey play.

Where him Dey against dr Congo 🙄🙄🙄😏😏😏😏

Damioduso1:
NFF x DRC Protest - This is a scandal: A must-read with a proper context ⬇️

By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup have finally collapsed after it emerged that the country’s protest against the eligibility of some players used by the Democratic Republic of Congo in last year’s African play-off was dismissed on procedural grounds. Sports

The protest followed Nigeria’s defeat to the DR Congo national football team in the decisive African play-off match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played on November 16, 2025, at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The match ended 1–1 after regulation and extra time before the Congolese side prevailed in a sudden-death penalty shootout.

In the weeks after the match, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) raised concerns about the eligibility of several Congolese players, alleging irregularities in the issuance of passports that enabled them to feature in the encounter.

However, an inside source within FIFA, the world football governing body, has disclosed that the Nigerian protest did not meet the procedural requirements for it to be considered by FIFA’s judicial bodies.

According to the source, the NFF’s complaint was received by FIFA on November 28, 2025, nearly two weeks after the match in Rabat.

Under the Regulations Governing the Preliminary Competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, protests regarding player eligibility must follow strict timelines.

“Article 8 of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations outlines the strict procedures for filing match protests.”

Article 8 of the regulations stipulates that any protest must first be communicated to the match commissioner within two hours of the completion of the match, and then followed by a detailed written submission within 24 hours.

The article states:
“Protests regarding the eligibility of players selected for matches in the preliminary competition shall be submitted in writing within two hours of the match and followed by a full written report within 24 hours.”

Because Nigeria’s protest was submitted on November 28 for a match played on November 16, it fell well outside the allowable window.

The source further revealed that the mandatory protest fee of 1,000 Swiss francs, which must accompany such submissions, was also not paid. As a result, the case was not formally processed by FIFA’s judicial bodies.

“The appeal that was widely reported was never actually entertained by the FIFA judicial authorities because it did not meet the procedural requirements,” the source explained, adding that the NFF was formally informed of the situation on March 9, 2026.

It took another week before the body made the decision known, indirectly with a claim of appeal of the judgment.

Simple Protest, our NFF no Sabi. Lord have mercy

FiFA is not just interested in the case from
Day one..they didn’t treat the case at all,it’s so obvious from their response..I hope it won’t backfire with dis precedent once countries start national shopping of players from other countries

Goke7:
Guy give it up on that Nigeria case o ti lo. FIFA knew what it was doing dragging on that case this long to deny it on technicalities. If they really wanted the eagles in the World Cup they would have ruled in our favour. I don’t see CAS upturning that decision and even that of Senegal. These are purely political decisions!

Football is purely business and politically inclined now! I also think there are so many countries in breach just like Congo and FIFA may not want to rock the boat too much likewise CAS! Imagine both decisions upturned, will that will not lead to another round of chaos? The deed is done bruv

Good explanation…..anyway , make I Dey observe

I want to ask a question Does the Court of Arbitration for Sport have an expedited procedure that allows it to decide cases within a single day, similar to the fast-tracked appeal decisions sometimes issued by the Confederation of African Football just like the Morocco 🇲🇦 and Senegal 🇸🇳 case ….dts the only way out to get something out of Nigeria petition

semid4lyfe:
Based on technicality (failure to file within the stipulated time period), not on the merit or lack of merit of the petition.

FIFA dey do like Nigerian judiciary. So disappointing.

So what was FIFA investigating all this while when the petition could have been dismissed the same week it was filed?

Never thought it'd go our way but the more I think about it, the more it seems like a political ruling motivated by a desire not to upset the apple cart.

NFF should just move on.

FIFA’s decision appears less about the lack of merit in Nigeria’s petition and more about avoiding the implications of their own oversight. Since the NFF had already questioned FIFA’s due diligence in clearing those players, overturning the results would have exposed that lapse so dismissing the petition arguably protected FIFA from looking negligent rather than disproving Nigeria’s claims…and I am very sure after the playoffs or world cup itself ,they would change their rules to block the lacunas exploited by dr Congo

The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

JohnBullMySon:
Now una don dey get sense. When I said this thing months ago some of y’all were just arguing.

The World Cup delulu folks can now go to bed.

Take your trophy 🏆.. u don win 🏅

AndSunGorilla:
O ye of little faith. It shall be appealed. Don't lose hope sir, never ever ever give up my brother. Once their is life, their is HOPE!!!!!

YAKUBU MANAGE 😃😃😃!!!!

Karlovich,johnbullmyson don win us 😃😃😃😃,dem reject our petition ;FIFA say make we rest 😃

opes:
Really? FIFA communicates any resolutions or judgments to the parties involved first before publicly publishing them on its website.

If na true …e no favour us b dt 😃😃

PDPGuy:
Good thing that we’ve made three 3-pointers

Abeg give me link

opes:
So FIFA already contacted the NFF regarding the petition? The secretary General said they are preparing a reply..is it a reply or an appeal? Na wah o

Na lie …any response will be on fifa site ,simple

Toylove:
Elyte89, what if FIFA already communicated the outcome of the petition to the NFF and those clowns knowing the backlash they will receive from Nigerians just decide to keep mute.

Sheyb FIFA get website ,we go c am na …it’s not something u can hide …d South African 🇿🇦 judgement is on FIFA site and others too

TheSuperNerd:
Hi Great Thread of Nigerian Football, it is indeed a good day to be alive and be excited for what 2026 still promises.

Today is My Birthday and I want to remind everyone out there not to give up on what their dreams, aims, aspirations, project pursuits, goals, etc. Victor Osimhen did not and look at him today and his story is still not done. John Mikel Obi did not and now he is a bonafide Nigerian legend. Rashidi "Rasheed" Yekini did not and he remains the one of the pinnacles among African Strikers today.


Lastly, on a flip note, Elyte89 is still not giving up on his Super Eagles job dream despite we all knowing how impossible it is and he is also not giving up on Nigeria heading to USCAMEX 2026 World Cup, so honestly what excuse you get?

Cheers to me and Cheers to us all.... God Bless You.

Happy birthday 🎂 BUDDY 😎

Countries don Dey release squad but nff/eric still Dey observe wether na squad for friendly or wcq dem go release …everything on observation #nffdrcongopetition #FIFAWCQ 😎

AAA593:
You seem to be under every posts defending DR Congo like you’re part of their legal team.

If the matter was as clear as you’re pretending, why didn’t FIFA dismiss the petition immediately? The fact that the case is being reviewed already tells you it’s not as straightforward as you’re trying to make it look.

Instead of acting like the self-appointed FIFA president on Nairaland, relax and wait for the official verdict. FIFA will decide whether the petition by the NFF has merit or not and not you, not your opinions, and definitely not your negative imagination.

The way this issue is giving you sleepless nights is actually amusing. Playoffs or no playoffs, the verdict will come eventually. Until then, all this noise you’re making won’t change anything.

At this point, you might as well relocate to DR Congo since you seem more emotionally invested in defending them. Let FIFA do its job and stop behaving like you personally wrote both the FIFA statutes and the DR Congo constitution.

Come to think of it ,if truly the petition has no substance,FIFA WOULD HAVE REJECTED IT ever since and not waiting till now ..this is a good sign though

I know FIFA very well when it comes to petitions ..once it lacks substance ,they throw it out within one month max

minfelix:
omo if this is true, walai FIFA are purposely ignoring the main koko🤣🤣 they wanna sweep that verdicts whatever under the carpet

Dem no born fifa well … we go protest