Nigeria’s football authorities on Saturday rejected claims that world governing body FIFA has thrown out the country’s protest over the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a World Cup playoff fixture.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it has received no official communication from FIFA indicating that its appeal has been dismissed, insisting the matter remains under review.
“We submitted a petition to FIFA concerning the eligibility of some DR Congo players,” NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi said in a television interview. “If there is any development, FIFA will officially communicate with us.”
Sanusi dismissed reports circulating in local media as unfounded, stressing that the federation has checked all official channels. “We have not received any letter from FIFA indicating that our petition has been dismissed. We have checked our emails, and there is no such correspondence,” he said.
Questioning the source of the reports, Sanusi added: “I don’t know where those reports are coming from. If anyone has such a letter, they should present it — unless they have someone within FIFA giving them information ahead of official communication.”
The dispute stems from Nigeria’s claim that DR Congo fielded players who were not eligible during the crucial World Cup playoff encounter, a match that ended Nigeria’s hopes of progressing further in the qualification race.
The NFF said it is awaiting FIFA’s formal response and urged the public to disregard speculation until an official decision is announced.
Nigeria’s football history has seen similar moments of tension and redemption on the continental stage. At the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, the Super Eagles stunned defending champions Tunisia with a 1-0 victory in the round of 16, a reminder of Nigeria’s resilience when faced with adversity.
For now, officials in Abuja say patience is required as FIFA concludes its review process, with Nigeria’s football authorities maintaining confidence that due process will be followed.
