The pain of a World Cup exit never really fades. For Nigeria, it appears it has now turned into a legal and political battle far beyond the pitch.
Weeks after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in a tense African qualification playoff, the Nigerian Football Federation has taken the matter to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded players who were not eligible to represent the country.
It is a move that has instantly divided African football fans and ignited fierce debate across social media.
A Playoff Defeat That Refused To Stay Buried
Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss last month ended their direct route to the 2026 World Cup, a tournament set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. DR Congo, meanwhile, kept their dream alive and are now preparing for an inter-confederation playoff in March, where six teams will battle for the final two places at the expanded 48-team finals.
For many Super Eagles supporters, the elimination felt cruel but familiar. Nigeria have missed the last two World Cups, a reality that sits uncomfortably with their reputation as one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.
Now, that frustration has spilled into a formal petition.
What Nigeria Are Alleging
According to the Nigerian Football Federation, the issue centres on dual nationality. NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said Nigeria believes several players cleared to represent DR Congo hold European passports and do not meet the country’s own legal requirements for nationality.
Sanusi argued that while FIFA regulations allow a player to represent a country once they hold its passport, DR Congo’s domestic laws reportedly prohibit dual citizenship.
Nigeria’s position is that FIFA was misled during the clearance process and that responsibility for respecting Congolese law was bypassed when the players were approved.
In simple terms, Nigeria are not disputing FIFA’s rules. They are disputing the information FIFA was given.
DR Congo Hit Back Publicly
The response from Kinshasa was swift and sharp.
DR Congo’s football federation dismissed the allegations outright, accusing Nigeria of trying to win off the field after failing to do so during the match. In a strongly worded social media post, Fecofa said World Cup qualification should be contested with dignity and confidence, not legal manoeuvres.
The tone struck a chord with many neutral fans, particularly those tired of qualification campaigns ending in boardrooms rather than stadiums.
African Football Reacts
Across Africa, the reaction has been split. Some fans sympathise with Nigeria, pointing to long-standing concerns about governance, eligibility checks and inconsistent enforcement of rules across the continent.
Others see the move as desperation from a football giant struggling to accept another absence from the world’s biggest sporting event. Some feel that qualification should be secured on the pitch not via the back door.
What Happens Next
FIFA has yet to publicly comment on the petition. If the world governing body decides to investigate, the process could take months and potentially disrupt preparations for the March inter-confederation playoffs.
For now, DR Congo continue planning their World Cup push, while Nigeria wait anxiously for clarity.
Source: Super Sport
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