₦airaland Forum

mikeapollo:
DR Congo did not breach any eligibility rules. The players they used were cleared by FIFA to play for them. What is NFF's business if those players hold dual citizenship?
Incompetent players with incompetent, shameless administrators who could not qualify even after CAF's useless rule was used to sneak them into the playoffs which they otherwise would not have qualified for.

Then let's wait and hear from FIFA. you have no authority to speak for FIFA.

What would you say if FIFA eventually disqualify DR Congo.

In situation like this we don't talk. We wait for FIFA to decide

Did you breach the FiFA rules and regulations in terms of player eligibility?
Yes or no?

For me, it is better DR Congo goes to the world cup than Nigeria

Even if Nigeria is allowed to proceed to the Intercontinental qualifiers, they will still not qualify for the world cup

These crop of Super eagles are not serious walahi

Players wey dey always play ball go back?

MarkNsukkaBread:
Trust me if this allegation has merit FIFa will side with Nigeria

True talk. Nigeria been at the world cup is more profitable to FIFA than DR Congo

Nigeria should carry there L and leave DR Congo alone.

The question is would Nigeria have been bothered if they are not looking for loopholes to qualify?

Tjra:
NFF wants to win through the back door

This reminds me of Peter Obi back in 2023

In other words,you are indirectly admitting that your paymaster cheated his way to aso rock the same way Congo DR allegedly fielded ineligible players to qualify for the WC!
In your attempt to use Obi as an instance by mocking him,you ended up admitting the 2023 elections were rigged in favour of your druggie paymaster!

seunlayi:
There is a deadline for complains and if they waited to after the playoff, its Congo opponent that will be given the ticket

i know but I don’t care

MarkNsukkaBread:
Trust me if this allegation has merit FIFa will side with Nigeria

It has no merit, the rule is congo rule. There is no breach of the rule. Even if there is a breach,, it's interpreted as internal. Nigeria is not going to the world cup ,not as player or spectator

Nigeria will always like to show that they are really a disgraced country..eventually FIFA still cancel their appeal…Nigeria is a zoo

Even if the allegations are true we all know the reason the NFF is threading this path is because of the FIFA qualification grant they want to collect and embezzle

Nigeria has a strong case against DR Congo. NFF has filed a complaint with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who still holds a British passport and didn't renounce his English citizenship.

DR Congo's constitution doesn't permit dual citizenship, and FIFA's regulations require players to comply with domestic laws. If FIFA rules in Nigeria's favour, DR Congo could face sanctions, including possible disqualification from the World Cup.

Some of the players in question include:

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Holds a British passport and represents DR Congo.

Axel Tuanzebe: Born in DR Congo, played for England at youth levels, and hasn't renounced his English citizenship

Nathanael Mbuku: Born in France, represented France at youth levels, and hasn't relinquished his French nationality

Lionel Mpasi: Born in France, played for France at youth levels, and didn't relinquish his French citizenship.

Timothy Fayulu: Born in Switzerland, represented Switzerland at youth levels, and switched allegiance to DR Congo in 2025

Michel-Ange Balikwisha: Born in Belgium, played at youth levels, and received national switch approval from FIFA

FIFA is investigating the matter, and a decision is expected before the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026. Based on technicality and DR Congo strong laws regards dual nationality, Nigeria will win the appeal. They fielded ineligible players.

Just reading some comments where people said Congo DR did the hard work on the pitch and deserve to qualify!

As much as I wholeheartedly agree with that,we must also admit that Congo DR will be disqualified if it was discovered that they actually fielded ineligible players!

Hardwork must also involve following the rules and regulations of the game!

No matter how qualified you are for a position,if it was discovered that you cheated your way to that position by presenting fake results or particulars,you will be disqualified!

FiFA must ensure that Congo Dr is disqualified if it's proven that they fielded ineligible players to serve as a detterent to other nations!

Snatch it.... grab it....they should go to court


Bulaba is showing his skill

Everything about Nigeria always have comma and backdoor baked into it. Very anyhow country like that.

Jakarta:
Everything about Nigeria always have comma and backdoor baked into it. Very anyhow country like that.

This is not about back door but following the rules strictly and DR Congo cheated. Remember the case of south Africa fielding an ineligible player. There are rules of engagement protecting every country which must be respected.

What DR Congo should do now is show the proof of those players renouncing their citizenship of their first nationality which I think they don't have.

Even here on nairaland, if you don't follow the rules, the moderator will you give a ban.

If it was the other way round they would do the same.. rules are rules. Fingers crossed for Nigeria..as we say at all at all na im bad pass

Richie6:
This is not about back door but following the rules strictly and DR Congo cheated. Remember the case of south Africa fielding an ineligible player. There are rules of engagement protecting every country which must be respected.

What DR Congo should do now is show the proof of those players renouncing their citizenship of their first nationality which o think they don't have.

Even here on nairaland, if you don't follow the rules, the moderator will give a ban.

You only knew about the rule after being beating blue black, could you have remembered such rule if you've defeated Dr Congo?

mikeapollo:
DR Congo did not breach any eligibility rules. The players they used were cleared by FIFA to play for them. What is NFF's business if those players hold dual citizenship?
Incompetent players with incompetent, shameless administrators who could not qualify even after CAF's useless rule was used to sneak them into the playoffs which they otherwise would not have qualified for.

Do not be too quick with that "Cleared by FIFA" argument. A precedent was set this week with Malaysia. Malaysia fielded a whooping 6 to 7 players who were clearly not Malaysian. Some looked clearly European. Malaysia presented forged documents to FIFA about the place of birth of their parents, claiming that their fathers and grandfathers were born on a Malaysian island.

After they beat Vietnam 3-0 to qualify for the Asia cup, Vietnam lodged a complaint. FIFA investigated and found out that the players used forged birth documents. Some of them had grandfathers born in Europe. Malaysia has now been severely sanctioned. All last 3 matches they won with those players have been converted to a loss.
AFC is also set to award the qualification for the Asia cup to Vietnam straight.

So, Nigeria and the NFA have a chance in their protest. But it must be presented with proof and evidence. I'm sure they have lawyers handling that. It's fraud to win a match with ineligible players.

What a shame ..the energy wey dem suppose use to pay players allowances is what they are using to chase shadows

Jakarta:
You only knew about the rule after being beating blue black, could you have remembered such rule if you've defeated Dr Congo?

Where did they beat Nigeria blue black? Nigeria lost on penalties which could have gone either ways. Get you facts right before coming here to rant. I wouldn't deny the fact that they deserved to go through and they were the better side playing attractive football.

See their Big mouth, did you field ineligible players or not, cause if Nigeria had done the same, I m sure DR Congo would gladly be attempting what Nigeria is getting at. Nigeria dont deserve it, yes, but did you also cheat?

Instead of throwing tantrums at Nigeria, they should rather clear themselves of the weighty allegations against them, otherwise FIFA's cardinal rule of "fair play" would have been thoroughly breached or bastardized.

Did you or you didn't?

It's as simple as ABC!



@hotseat

Cmanforall:
It’s a shame that Nigeria even went to petition that.

It seems NFF want to loot more with this world up o😁
And get US visas for their babes

The law is the law Oga,no sentiments.
We forfeited 3 points against Algeria for breaking the law.
If they truly broke the law then they should be made to pay.

Winterhaven:
Even if by hook or crook we replaced dr congo in the playoffs, the super chickens will still get kicked out on the football pitch. So what's the point...

We can't replace DR Congo because It would be a total conundrum. If they were disqualified, the question to ask is...who should benefit? Cameroun, Nigeria or even any or all of the 5 other countries in their group?

This protest filing was originally submitted by Cameroun first so it might be very difficult for us to be the only one that benefit.

Jakarta:
You only knew about the rule after being beating blue black, could you have remembered such rule if you've defeated Dr Congo?

You cannot fraudulent gain an advantage and expect the law to look away.
If they had lost then it wouldn't have been an advantage,would it?

Though, FIFA will surely drag Congo DR if they found the allegations to be truth.

Meanwhile, it's disgraceful for Nigeria to be looking for legal routes for World Cup qualifications.

SportblitsNews:
🚨🇨🇩 DR Congo FA Slams Nigeria Over World Cup Eligibility Dispute.

FECOFA has hit back at the NFF after Nigeria petitioned FIFA over the eligibility of six DR Congo players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.

Calling Nigeria “bad losers,” FECOFA said: 🗣 “If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door.”

The controversy has stirred online debate and keeps Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes in the spotlight.

Read more: https://sportblits.com/sports-news/2026-wcq-dr-congo-fa-slams-nigeria-over-world-cup-eligibility-dispute/

Nigeria is within its rights

DR Congo is within their right to defend

FIFA is the only referee that matters

Social media outrage changes nothing

FlipModeSquade:
The law is the law Oga,no sentiments.
We forfeited 3 points against Algeria for breaking the law.
If they truly broke the law then they should be made to pay.

Even if it’s true, it’s not automatic ticket for the Eagles

Some of these actions bring unnecessary hatred’s for Nigerians abroad.
The way other African countries do hate Nigerians at first contact is not nice. Of course , when they get to know the ‘Nigerian’ more, the negative image will clear

On this one ooo.
I support DR congo.
If u cant be man enough to win on the pitch.
Dont be a coward trying to go past the back door

gbemishile:
On this one ooo.
I support DR congo.
If u cant be man enough to win on the pitch.
Dont be a coward trying to go past the back door

That’s the fact.
They player 11 against 11.

Maybe Congo should start digging deep into FIFA laws, maybe some of these foreign Nigerians may not be eligible

koning:
Do not be too quick with that "Cleared by FIFA" argument. A precedent was set this week with Malaysia. Malaysia fielded a whooping 6 to 7 players who were clearly not Malaysian. Some looked clearly European. Malaysia presented forged documents to FIFA about the place of birth of their parents, claiming that their fathers and grandfathers were born on a Malaysian island.

After they beat Vietnam 3-0 to qualify for the Asia cup, Vietnam lodged a complaint. FIFA investigated and found out that the players used forged birth documents. Some of them had grandfathers born in Europe. Malaysia has now been severely sanctioned. All last 3 matches they won with those players have been converted to a loss.
AFC is also set to award the qualification for the Asia cup to Vietnam straight.

So, Nigeria and the NFA have a chance in their protest. But it must be presented with proof and evidence. I'm sure they have lawyers handling that. It's fraud to win a match with ineligible players.

The conundrum now is that Cameroun made the same protest first. And this same issue affects the position of the other 5 countries in their group stages.

I see Africa losing that 10th slot entirely. The question to ask now will be who should be the main beneficiary?