The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked reports circulating online that FIFA has delivered a verdict on Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Federation over alleged ineligible players.
The controversy followed Nigeria’s elimination on penalties by the Leopards in the final round of the African play-offs last November, a result that dashed the Super Eagles’ hopes of progressing to the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In the wake of the defeat, the NFF lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players.
The federation argued that Congolese law does not recognise dual nationality for adults, raising concerns that some players allegedly held European passports while representing the Leopards.
However, NFF officials have now clarified that FIFA has yet to issue any ruling on the matter.
The federation’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, described reports suggesting a verdict in favour of either Nigeria or DR Congo as “false and misleading.”
“There is no decision from FIFA at this time. Any claims that a ruling has been made are false. FIFA has not communicated any verdict to the NFF or the Congolese federation,” Olajire told 234Sports.
The NFF said fabricated documents circulating online, purportedly showing FIFA awarding Nigeria a 3–0 victory and reinstating the Super Eagles in the qualification race, should be disregarded.
Nigeria’s petition reportedly centred on DR Congo’s domestic nationality laws, which largely prohibit dual citizenship.
According to the NFF, some Leopards players allegedly retained foreign passports, including Belgian, English, French or Dutch nationality, without formally renouncing previous citizenship.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the federation raised concerns that the Congolese FA might have provided incomplete or misleading documentation in securing FIFA clearance for the players.
“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi said.
The Congolese FA has rejected Nigeria’s claims, urging the Super Eagles to accept the outcome on the pitch.
Director of Football Hérita Ilunga maintained that FIFA’s definition of sporting nationality, not domestic citizenship law, determines eligibility.
“If that is the case, I advise my dear Naija to focus instead on AFCON,” Ilunga said.
On social media, the Leopards described Nigeria’s petition as an attempt to overturn the result on the field.
“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence, not with lawyers’ tricks. Bring it on!” a post on DR Congo’s official handle read. See more
