By: Kwame Bediako
FIFA has dismissed Nigeria’s protest over an allegedly ineligible player fielded by DR Congo in their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match, upholding the original result that eliminated the Super Eagles.
The decision leaves Nigeria out of the qualification race, drawing sharp criticism from fans and officials.
The Super Eagles lodged their complaint immediately after the match, alleging that the player in question failed to meet FIFA’s strict eligibility criteria on nationality, documentation, and prior national team appearances.
Nigeria argued this breached FIFA statutes, hoping to overturn the outcome and salvage their campaign.
After a detailed review by FIFA’s adjudication body, the evidence from both associations confirmed DR Congo’s full compliance with all regulations.
No points were awarded to Nigeria, no replay was granted, and the fixture’s result remains in the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings.
Disappointment rippled through Nigerian football circles, with stakeholders lamenting the lost opportunity for a technical reprieve.
Super Eagles officials voiced frustration but pledged respect for the ruling, vowing to rally behind Africa’s representatives in the tournament while refocusing on future on-field battles.
FIFA stressed the thoroughness of its probe, which scrutinized player records and federation communications, underscoring its commitment to qualification integrity.
With no appeals anticipated in these final eligibility rulings, attention turns to DR Congo’s push for World Cup glory.
36 Responses
Even if you they disqualified DR Congo did Nigeria National team have anything to offer at the world cup, well done Fifa for allowing the best and deserve team to proceed.
The Nigerian team need to rebuild the team. It is the shadow of itself.
I don’t know where you got your information from, because FIFA is yet to give it’s verdict on the issue. But before then stop misinforming the general public just to pull traffic to your site. Thank you.
That’s what we should expect from a Ghanaian news broadcaster or whatever it’s called, the news came from Ghana news useless people always hating on Nigeria
Every Nigerian is mad because of Tinubu , Werey like you..get sense and set yourself free ode
Nigeria Football federation should be ashamed of themselves for lodging the complaint in the first place.They are bad losers. They did the same in the group stages, when they reported South Africa, yet even when South Africa were deducted three points, it didn’t them to qualify. Instead of them playing on the field to qualify, they want to qualify through the back door.This is the first I am agreeing with a FIFA decision.
Those players should not have played and if Congo qualifies, it will be a scandal if they play at the world cup. If this happens, Congo should be ready to see 47 football federations from all over the world lodging a complaint with FIFA.
Sore loser.
Nigeria always fighting for the spot, running all the time to FIFA with their nonsense legal tricks, the best team won. Let’s see if they are crowned African champion, who they think they are to conquer everything with this types of Stupid tricks in Africa, are they a country alone in Africa?
Okay, I get your frustration and disappointment with Nigeria’s actions but you don’t have to insult the entire country.
In my opinion, you don’t have any right to disrespect any country at all even if in this case, the country behaved wrongly. DR Congo won fair and square and no sensible Nigerian is arguing that. It is only the country’s football federation – NFF- that’s arguing otherwise. So, I advice that you be calmer with your choice of words next time.
There is nothing like Nigeria qualifying through the back door. Protesting on any football matters to Fifa is allowed if any country feels others cheated, that is why Fifa is the ruling body to look into such cases. Nigeria also was a victim of this protest years back and points were seriously deducted from them. If not that Nigeria already had enough points, they would have been banned from that tournament. I hope DRC qualify for the WC and lift the trophy to prove a point. That’s all our hope.
Nigeria Football Federation and it’s people should learn to put their emotion aside and analyse event in a realistic way.
Their started to struggle since long. Instead of fixing the issues, their federation became specialist in trying to get points via the back door. They did it with South Africa and tried to do it with DRC.
Shame on you Nigerians, cheating become your speciality
Certainly CONGO are the one that cheated not Nigeria , using six ineligible players for the qualifiers is a scam , more over it was your own domestic laws that caught up with your players . Nigeria is taking the advantage you guys provided by cheating and such advantage is allowed by FIFA. If Congo is not sanctioned , do you imagine how others countries will take full advantage of it in future , playing ineligible players in FIFA tournaments .Blame your government not Nigeria , Nigeria is just a victim and that is why the next qualification will be awarded to them .
Nigeria Football federation should be ashamed of themselves for lodging the complaint in the first place.They are bad losers. They did the same in the group stages, when they reported South Africa, yet even when South Africa were deducted three points, it didn’t them to qualify. Instead of them playing on the field to qualify, they want to qualify through the back door.This is the first I am agreeing with a FIFA decision.
Big mouth 👄 and disgrace for Nigeria football federation shame on you.
You fail to qualify in the groups with Lesotho, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and south Africa and you want a Backdoor
FIFA has a credible remarks, thanks for reviewing their petition, thanks that the effort of those player’s are not neglected , next time let Nigeria and the technical Crew know that football game is not election that will be decided through giant influence.
Kudos to FIFA for taking the right steps in reviewing the so called petition.
Nigeria and the Technical crew should learn how to put her house in order before showcasing anything to Africa and the world at large. Why must we always lodge complaint to get favor. Assuming we later qualified, this kind of football they are playing right now, is that what we are going to display at the world level where different countries with class will be represented? Well done FIFA
FIFA has not make any decisions, fake News
Fake news
To me we have failed to do needful when it matters most.
NFF should be held accountable for the failure
It’s unfortunate that members of NFF don’t or take cognizance of International politics of sports.
How can they keep quiet and all their opponents who are southern Africa be allowed to play their home games and away games in south Africa.
There’s conspiracies within CAF & FIFA
To me we have failed to do needful when it matters most.
NFF should be held accountable for the failure
It’s unfortunate that members of NFF don’t or take cognizance of International politics of sports.
How can they keep quiet and all their opponents who are southern Africa be allowed to play their home games and away games in south Africa.
There’s conspiracies within CAF & FIFA
Fake news.. Fifa hasn’t concluded on anything yet.
Stop posting fake news to farm engagement.
Next time. Soccer must be played in the field and not in the boardroom. Try your luck at AFCON…
Why should nigerian not lodge a complaint if Dr Congo is deemed to have fielded an ineligible player. It is within the country’s right to do so. There is no Shame in doing that. Dr Congo is still no where near the might of the super eagles in world football. All of you running your mouth should shut up.
This is fake, you should understand the position of Ghana on this matter . can’t you all see the writer is a Ghanain?
This news is fake, show us your source of this news. FIFA is yet to make any decision concerning Nigeria’s petition. Stop all these Nigeriaphobia.
As someone living outside of Africa, this is a farce.
It is for FIFA to decide not the NFF who can play for DR Congo. I ask why did other teams not complain ?
Yes Nigeria are one of the big teams in Africa, so what, they failed to qualify it happens, ask some big European nations.
Football should be decided on the pitch, not by lawyers in a boardroom.
If the NFF persist in this ridiculous waste of time they must be banned from the next 2 world cups as punishment for wasting time and money.
This is even terrifying to know that someone can place a fake name on a blatant lie such as this, though you know it’s just a fabrication. FIFA has not issued any ruling. I’m this stupid story with a Ghanaian’s name on it (Kwame Bediako), is a creation of another Nigerian. That’s how they’re traveling the world using Ghanaian names. They sent a woman to Ghana to tarnish Ghanaian Polices’ reputation.
You are very stupid to say that , that name is a Ghanian name and this is a Ghanaian website , Ghanaians are far more criminal minded than Nigerians, just that Nigerians are smarter. Your Ghanaian brother posted a fake news to attract traffic to his page , instead of cautioning his stupid folly , you are there stating that he is a Nigerian posting Ghanaian name. This is the way Ghanaians commit atrocities abroad and claim they are Nigerians !!
C’mon NFF should win all their games in the field of play not in the boardroom. NFF is trying to hide their inefficiencies, like not paying the coach for three months and also players. Their development this time around was non existent. Also the chop and changing of coaches at a crucial time added to their lacklustre performance. My opinion is the NFF committee should just resign and let a new broom to sweep better. The same as SAFA , they should resign. Even FIFA has not officially decided yet, this should stop, we need to professional. Cameroonian football president,Eto’o is putting his foot in it, interfering in his country’s national football team. Please let’s stop this madness.Period.
Okay what if they allowed congo to continue, as if they will even pass that intercontinental playoffs
IF IT IS TRUE THAT FIFA HAS DISMISS THE N.F.F PETITION AGAINST DR CONGO OVER USE OF ELIGIBLE PLAYERS IN W.CUP QUALIFIER, WHY HASN’T THE MEDIA FROM FIFA ANNOUNCED IT FROM THE HEAD QUARTER IN SWITZERLAND? MY SUGGESTION IS THA THE N.F.F OFFICIALS SHOULD HUMBLY RESIGN EVEN IF NIGERIA SUPER EAGLES QUALIFY FOR THE WORLDCUP AND WON THE AFCON.
Fake news. Even if you h8te Nigeria that much, why allow your medium to carry fake news. Ghanaonline is added as one of the purveyors of fake news. No integrity.
Whether you like it or not, if FiFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, there is NOTHING your bad belle can do about it. And if it goes the other way, then worry about how your beloved Black stars will fare during the competition.
Ghana that even qualified for world cup what are they going there to do , they are just going there to share points, very useless country always hating Nigerians , my anger is that ghana now is nigeria 30 years ago , very local people, go to Accra is like one village inside ajegunle , always thinking they are in competition with nigeria , when they know for sure that nigeria is ahead of them in all things , man these people are local , and backward, is only jelousy that is making them hate on nigeria nothing more, , a country where 1 woman , will born children for 5 different men , a country where half population of their youths are unproductive , lazy and jonkeys , especially the GAARS, ghana as a country need reorientation and sensitization i swear , they are just useless people , kwasiaaaaa people
EVERY TIME USELESS GHANA PEOPLE WILL BE COMPARING THEMSELVES WITH NIGERIA , WHY , A COUNTRY THAT IS AS BACKWARD AS CHAD, GHANA IS NOT FAR BETTER THAN CHAD, AND YET THEY DO NONSENSE, YOU NEED TO VISIT GHANA AND SEE THE RUBBISH THOSE IDIOTS DO TO NIGERIANS, SINCE AFTER MY LAST VISIT THERE WHEN I GOT HOME , I CHASED THE ONCE HERE IN MY AREA WITH CUTLASS, NIGERIANS AT HOME NEED TO REALLY KNOW THE TYPE OF HATE TREAT GHANA PEOPLE DISH OUT TO NIGERIANS IN GHANA , AND HERE IN NIGERIA WE ARE TOO CIVIL , THAT WE DONT HAVE TIME , FOR THAT RUBBISH , I NEVER BELIEVED SUCH STUPID RACISM EXIST NOT UNTIL I WENT TO GHANA , YET OUR POEPLE ARE HERE ALLOWING THEM LIVE LIKE FREE PEOPLE IN NIGERIA, WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND STEP UP ABOUT THIS GHANA NIGERIA ISSUE, WE GAVE MOST OF THEIR CITIZENS FAME , LIFE AND POPULARITY, THE LIKES OF YVON NELSON WAS NO BODY TILL SHE CAME TO NIGERIA AND JOINED OUR MOVIES INDUSTRY SAME AS JOHN DUMELO, NADIA BUHARI , JULIET IBRAHIM , VAN VICKER NAME THEM , THEY ARE COUNTLESS, YET THEY ARE ALL STUPIDF PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM , THEIR IS THIS VERY PARTUCULAR LOCAL BREE LOCAL ANIMAL MUSICIAN THEY HAVE THEIR CALLED SHATTA WALE , WHO I DONT KNOW THE TYPE OF MUSIC HE SINGS , ALWAYS ABUSIVE IN HIS SONGS , SINGING FUCK YOUR MOTHER AND FUCK YOUR FATHER, MUSICIAN FIOR THE JONJIES AND GHETTO GHANA BOYS , AWAYS INSULTING NIGERIANS , AS DIRTY AS HE IS . INFACT NIGERIANS IN NIGERIA NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GHANA AND HOW THEY TREAT OUR PEOPLE
EVERY TIME USELESS GHANA PEOPLE WILL BE COMPARING THEMSELVES WITH NIGERIA , WHY , A COUNTRY THAT IS AS BACKWARD AS CHAD, GHANA IS NOT FAR BETTER THAN CHAD, AND YET THEY DO NONSENSE, YOU NEED TO VISIT GHANA AND SEE THE RUBBISH THOSE IDIOTS DO TO NIGERIANS, SINCE AFTER MY LAST VISIT THERE WHEN I GOT HOME , I CHASED THE ONCE HERE IN MY AREA WITH CUTLASS, NIGERIANS AT HOME NEED TO REALLY KNOW THE TYPE OF HATE TREAT GHANA PEOPLE DISH OUT TO NIGERIANS IN GHANA , AND HERE IN NIGERIA WE ARE TOO CIVIL , THAT WE DONT HAVE TIME , FOR THAT RUBBISH , I NEVER BELIEVED SUCH STUPID RACISM EXIST NOT UNTIL I WENT TO GHANA , YET OUR POEPLE ARE HERE ALLOWING THEM LIVE LIKE FREE PEOPLE IN NIGERIA, WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND STEP UP ABOUT THIS GHANA NIGERIA ISSUE, WE GAVE MOST OF THEIR CITIZENS FAME , LIFE AND POPULARITY, THE LIKES OF YVON NELSON WAS NO BODY TILL SHE CAME TO NIGERIA AND JOINED OUR MOVIES INDUSTRY SAME AS JOHN DUMELO, NADIA BUHARI , JULIET IBRAHIM , VAN VICKER NAME THEM , THEY ARE COUNTLESS, YET THEY ARE ALL STUPIDF PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM , THEIR IS THIS VERY PARTUCULAR LOCAL BREE LOCAL ANIMAL MUSICIAN THEY HAVE THEIR CALLED SHATTA WALE , WHO I DONT KNOW THE TYPE OF MUSIC HE SINGS , ALWAYS ABUSIVE IN HIS SONGS , SINGING FUCK YOUR MOTHER AND FUCK YOUR FATHER, MUSICIAN FIOR THE JONJIES AND GHETTO GHANA BOYS , AWAYS INSULTING NIGERIANS , AS DIRTY AS HE IS . INFACT NIGERIANS IN NIGERIA NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GHANA AND HOW THEY TREAT OUR PEOPLE