₦airaland Forum

Congo violated the rules, they used machineries to prosecute playoff matches, no wonder they became so good overnight. For those who may not know, DR Congo is the same country formerly known as Zaire.

You are not only getting the palm oil from oil palm, you are also getting the kernel and the nuts

Amaechi, a super minister under Buhari went on national television to say he is hungry. That was a clear act of insensitivity, taking Nigerians for a ride and insulting their intelligence. Somebody who should be in jail by now.

charlesemeka85:
UPDATES on DR Congo potential World Cup miss.

The NFF has spoken through the General Secretary Dr Sanusi Mohammed.

Long but interesting READ 📚 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

Eligibility Dispute: DR Congo Misled FIFA In Player Clearance Process - NFF 

By Niyi Busari 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that it has submitted a formal petition to FIFA over the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during their decisive clash with Nigeria in the CAF playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes have been revived after FIFA opened an investigation into the eligibility of several DR Congo players who featured in the playoff final, which the Super Eagles lost on penalties. The match determined Africa’s representative for the intercontinental playoff, and the result is now under review following allegations of regulatory breaches.

Speaking on the matter, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said FIFA may have been misled by the DR Congo Football Association during the player clearance process.

“FIFA was deceived into clearing those players because it is not FIFA’s responsibility to interpret or enforce domestic citizenship laws,” Sanusi said. “DR Congo law does not permit dual citizenship, yet some of the players involved reportedly hold dual nationality.”

According to the NFF, FIFA approved the players based on documentation and assurances provided by the DR Congo federation, as FIFA regulations allow players to represent a country if they hold a valid passport. However, Nigeria’s complaint alleges that the clearance process itself may have been fraudulent, given potential conflicts with Congolese nationality laws.

“It is not FIFA’s duty to know the domestic laws of every country,” Sanusi added. “That is why we formally drew FIFA’s attention to the issue and we are now awaiting their verdict.”

The investigation is believed to centre on up to nine DR Congo players who allegedly switched national allegiance without fully completing the legal and administrative requirements stipulated by both Congolese law and FIFA statutes.

While possession of a passport is a key requirement under FIFA rules, it does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Players must also comply with domestic legal provisions and FIFA’s regulations governing changes of association.

Reports indicate that some of the affected players may not have finalised the necessary processes before representing DR Congo in the qualifiers.

FIFA is understood to be examining the matter closely, with possible outcomes ranging from match forfeiture to other disciplinary measures, depending on the findings. A complete disqualification from international competition remains unlikely but has not been ruled out.

Should DR Congo be sanctioned, the NFF says it is unclear whether Nigeria would automatically advance to the intercontinental playoff in Mexico or be required to contest another qualifying match.

Nigeria, meanwhile, remains on standby as it awaits FIFA’s final decision on the case.

I just watched the interview of the General Secretary.

NFF Lodges Official Petition with FIFA Over DR Congo's Use of Ineligible Players in World Cup Playoffs

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed to journalists on Tuesday that the federation has submitted a formal protest to FIFA,… pic.twitter.com/9IP66ilXEG

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) December 16, 2025

It is a case of deceipt and fraud from DR Congo

Joebie:
Its not falsified documemts. The country gave them a waiver and issued them original documents.

Lets focus on the AFCON where we truly belong

Only If the waiver was submitted with the application to FIFA, and not produced as an afterthought to justify the process after exposure.

Flangelo12:
This is too low for Dangote.

I disagree. it’s not low for someone who invested heavily, and one person is sabotaging it.

It is Dangote and the oil marketers who are now giving the subsidy to Nigerians. God is great.

Tizu:
Imagine Nigeria importing crude oil from Ghana
Nigeria is truly cursed.
No wonder it is described as a 'Disgraced Country' 😄
Any nation her leaders are associated with drugs trafficking cannot be serious in life.
Importing crude oil that you produce.

You can only be upset if Nigeria imports refined PMS from Ghana, not crude oil. Can you say America is cursed just because it also imports crude oil from Nigeria?
Just as America buys crude oil from us and sells refined PMS back to us, Dangote is also selling refined PMS to Ghana, same as Angola. It’s all business.

JohnBullMySon:
No chief, I’m still saying the same thing I’ve earlier. FIFA nationality law basically requires two things. One is that a country has given you citizenship (evidence of a passport). Two is that you actually have ties to country (evidence being birth certificates, parents birth certificates, proof of residency as required by FIFA).

The first is what I’m saying that FIFA can’t nullify based on laws outside their jurisdiction. FIFA can’t police how a country gives you citizenship that’s why the second requirement exists.

The second they can nullify because if you’re not born in the country or parents were not actually citizens of the country then that requirement has been violated and any documents provided are false.

It’s a strange case because they meet FIFA requirements apparently but their own law is mired in some controversy. I don’t see how FIFA can legally make any judgments from that law.

But FIFA can nullify a result on the grounds of fraud. It is a fraud on the part of DR Congo to issue a passport to Wan-Bissaka when their constitution forbids dual citizenship. That case could be argued and proven as fraud.
The 2007 moratorium was to suspend enforcing punishment on those with dual citizenship, not to suspend the law against dual citizenship

Bannedlargejr:
They have presented Valid Congolese passports based on “Fictitious Information” that FIFA wasn’t aware of prior to approval. If those approval were approved based on “False information and illegality” There’s a case. FIFA has a history of slow approval towards Dual-Nationality of west African players specifically due to passport issues and their approval usually takes 1 to 2 years for west African Players. Congo were able to approve 6 players in less than 3 Months. That alone is very suspicious and needs to be looked Into. We need all our Attorneys to scrutinize and ensure that No FIFA laws were broken prior to that approval. The Congolese, Belgium and England Constitution needs to be thoroughly investigated by our Attorneys. If Congo submitted fictitious information to fifa prior approval by FIFA, they must be Punished and if no fictitious information were used, they should represent Africa. At the end of the day, Law is law and it needs to be enforced irrespective of NFF incompetence or our players horrible performance

I think the approval time depends on how quickly the player making the switch can provide the necessary documents. Ashleigh Plumptre completed her switch from England to Nigeria with FIFA approval under five months.

Quite unfortunate he didn't score any goal for Nigeria during his one year reign as Africa best..wishing him goodluck at the AFCON

Obi in PDP means Governor Makinde will not be on the ballot, SW votes will not be shared.

BankyGee:
💥🇳🇬 Super Eagles players are firing on all cylinders before coming home for the AFCON!

Victor Osimhen vs. Antalyaspor - ⚽ (8.0)
Calvin Bassey vs. Burnley - ⚽ (8.5)
Samuel Chukwueze vs. Burnley - 🅰️ (8.1)
Akor Adams vs. Real Oviedo - ⚽🅰️🅰️ (8.4)
Chidera Ejuke vs. Real Oviedo - ⚽ (7.
Ademola Lookman vs. Cagliari - 2 key passes (7.0)

The AFCON is not ready for the Super Eagles of Nigeria! 🇳🇬🦅🔥
📈: All ratings from FotMob

Abeg add Salim Fago..he just scored now

Burob:
That minister is complete maga, person say u no u go be governor, e go report to the EFCC of blackmail?

This kind of man is not fit to be the governor of Oyo state.

Negative prophecy is a campaign against the minister done in bad faith and it could hurt his chances. Reporting the Primate was necessary to stop it

Burob:
Where is the crime in the messages?

After the request was turned down, he started issuing negative prophecies against the Minister. Is that not spiritual blackmail by intimidation? Reason the minister petitioned DSS to report the Primate.

Bossoflife25:
The coach has called up Uche on multiple occassion but he has not played a single minutes of competitive game.
Uche needs this period to focus on his club not going to an AFCON where he won't play and then fall down the pecking order at his club!
The reason for Okoye's exclusion is the same for Uche's exclusion.
Both simply wanted to focus on their club career! Rest guy!

I think South Africa vs Nigeria is a competitive match, Uche featured.

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in collaboration with National Security operatives, has arrested 32 Nigerian nationals in a coordinated early morning operation at Kasoa–Tuba.

According to a post on the official Facebook page of the CSA, the joint operation led to the seizure of 31 laptops and 15 mobile phones suspected to be linked to cybercrime activities.
The suspects are currently in custody, assisting with ongoing investigations, while the seized devices are undergoing forensic analysis.

The post added that the operation forms part of its sustained efforts to clamp down on cybercrime and related offences across the country.


https://citinewsroom.com/2025/12/csa-national-security-arrest-32-nigerians-over-alleged-cybercrime/

He missed easier one but scored in a tight position. Osimhen

Eriokanmi:
ooh. Thanks. I mixed it up, seeing oye at the beginning of the name .

Lol..there is even another "Oye", the Governor of Ekiti, Oyebanji.

Eriokanmi:
I thought he said he's not interested.

Who? This is Oyebamiji, not Oyetola

Saturnalia:
I think Matawalle has a grip or leverage on Tinubu which explains why Tinubu is not courageous enough to sack him.

I am guessing Matawalle still has Zamfara’s Electorates (which Tinubu need badly) in his pocket.

The current Banker-turned-Governor (Dauda Lawal Dare) is just a figurehead without any political structure. Remember he became a Governor through the Supreme Court.

The same electorate couldn’t help him win re-election as a sitting governor

Fubara moving to APC is the game changer, he can quickly call his party's national chairman for protection from opposition..lol.

semid4lyfe:
Maduka asked for first choice and playing guarantee which wasn't given so he asked to be excused. Would Maduka have pulled this stunt if we had qualified for the World cup? I don't think so!

The team should always come before individual, and at this point Maduka should be axed from the National team and never invited again.

Still, Eric Chelle made a big mistake selecting Francis Uzoho. A Dele Adeleye or even an Ebenezer Harcourt would have been better for the experience and futuristic purpose.

Eric Chelle doesn't realize how terrible Uzoho is. Uzoho cannot even play goal kicks. His goal kicks don't go far at all. Na defender dey play goal kick for am. He is also very clumsy with his feet. His ball playing ability and distribution is very poor too. Anytime, he is given a back pass our hearts will be in our mouths.

Reflexes nko? Na just average. He will not make any save he is not supposed to make, and he will still concede goals he should ordinarily be saving. Goal keeping sense and anticipation na Zero. He is not dominant in the air and even gets bullied aerially. What a waste of height, and space in the squad.

If Eric Chelle selected 23 players, and the NFF added 5 to make it 28, wasn't Francis. Uzoho in the 23 players selected by Eric Chelle?

Now, I am going into this AFCON with an additional prayer point that Nwabali should be fit to play all the games and Amas Obasogie is the designated backup/2nd choice goalie.

Eric Chelle really fumbled with the choice of Uzoho.

I think you meant to say Maduka, but you wrote Uzoho in the first two paragraphs

How do we rebuild with a 31 year old new invitee playing in the Israeli league? Chelle picks his 23-man squad first, and the NFF adds the remaining five since they are the ones sponsoring the extra. That is what just happened.

Ndume may likely not return to senate in 2027 under APC again.

quickberry:
A

Usman Muhammad? Oh, he took the spot of Yusuf, I can understand now..so if Nwabali is injured, it is uzoho again..
Anyway, we need to hear from Chelle himself why Okoye was dropped, or he asked to be dropped?

New inclusion Muhammad is the oldest player in the squad.

charlesemeka85:
AC Milan and Villarreal have joined Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the race to sign 19-year-old Nigerian talent Sani Suleiman.

The winger is also being monitored by clubs in the MLS.

He plays for Slovak side AS Trenčín and was picked up by scouts at the U20 World Cup.

(Source: @TEAMtalk)

I can't believe his name was not in the 54-man list.

It is all politics now in Osun. People have not forgotten how he governed them, he will be reminded of his half salary policy while campaigning for his ADC candidate. Did the recession also make him handicapped as Minister of Interior? Yeye..

I love how APC handlers operate. They set trap to embarrass haters by dropping juicy news that excites them, then the real story comes out later. Expect another update tomorrow where Benin Republic or France acknowledges Nigeria’s role in the failed coup

It is good that Ligue 1 still shows love to Osimhen.

ADC can still support him even if he contests under another party which is likely Accord Party. The greed within Osun APC may cause them to lose the election, and it could also affect them in the presidential election, just like in 2023 when Adeleke delivered Osun to PDP

hatchy:
They wouldn't have tried this nonsense during General Olusegun Obasanjo (President of the Federal Republic) time as the president of Nigeria.

All this na see finish because of how APC’S Buhari and Tinubu government brought our dear country low. They have borrowed money from almost all the countries in the world, it's dehumanising to us as Nigerians.

Tinubu should deal with it, shebi he was looking for how to invade Niger Republic, the opportunity is here now.

Shameful!

What did Obasanjo do regarding Bakassi issue when Cameroonian forces were occasionally confronting Nigeria soldiers ? They even seized fishing boats belonging to Nigerians..Las Las, the land was conceded during his leadership.