₦airaland Forum

The Federation of International Football Federations FIFA has rejected Nigeria’s petition to disqualify Congo DR on the grounds of alleged use of ineligible players.

FIFA’s decision was revealed by the Nigeria Football Federation in a media release on Tuesday.


Nigeria lost to Congo DR 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in their continental playoff final in Rabat, Morocco, with Congo DR set to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in Mexico later this month to vie for one of the outstanding two 2026 World Cup tickets.

Nigeria launched a petition against Congo DR for using players it alleged were ineligible for possessing dual nationalities. According to the NFF, the petition submitted in December was “based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Play-offs.”

However, FIFA, through its disciplinary committee has rejected the petition after months of uncertainty, but the NFF has appealed against the outcome.

The country’s football governing body, through its Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi, saidat it has begun the process of an appeal, just over a week before the intercontinental playoffs is set to kick off.

“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition.”

“I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” he said.

Nigeria last featured in the World Cup at the 2018 World Cup held in Russia.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, and is set to miss consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since a maiden appearance at USA 1994.

Kingosytex:
NFF is a joke. Your players couldn't win on the pitch and you are here running from pillar to post.

You had many matches to qualify, but you couldn't. You wouldn't have been running around had you won all your matches.

FIFA should never grant them their stupid and silly requests. Football matches should be decided on the pitch not in court rooms.

stuffs2002:
All these bitter and hateful IPOB elements will just be attacking Nigeria from all directions.

Austema:
All these Court things is making football not to be interesting again

Kingosytex:
You are the bitter and delusional person here. If not, tell me why Nigeria couldn't qualify after how many matches?
You bunch are jokers.

stuffs2002:
Is that why DR Congo is playing with players that are not eligible?

You can hate and attack Nigeria all you want but it will still not give you Biafra

GanagiBitrus:
Which appeal again.
Walahi, these NFF people no get sense

stuffs2002:
It is a disgrace to FIFA and CAF because they are always trying to get involved in the play by encouraging bad referees

stuffs2002:
It is a disgrace to FIFA and CAF because they are always trying to get involved in the play by encouraging bad referees

AllBlack:
They have sense. It is just that you are not seeing the real END GAME.

Fighting for appeal means delegates will do plenty travels. They will be paid heavily in millions for estacode and DTA. They will flex hotel bill on tax payers money. They will get fat and fresh.

You say wetin? Dem no get sense?

stuffs2002:
Is that why DR Congo is playing with players that are not eligible?

You can hate and attack Nigeria all you want but it will still not give you Biafra