Former Super Eagles Star Issues Caution to NFF as FIFA Decision Looms
Former Super Eagles striker Peter Ijeh has expressed skepticism about Nigeria's chances of a favorable outcome in the ongoing FIFA dispute over the 2026 World Cup qualification play-off against DR Congo. Ijeh warns that football authorities rarely reverse results at this advanced stage, emphasizing that time and historical precedent are working against the Nigeria Football Federation's petition.
The Dispute Over Player Eligibility
The controversy stems from Nigeria's heartbreaking loss to DR Congo in the African play-off final held in Morocco last November. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw after extra time, followed by DR Congo securing a 4-3 victory on penalties, effectively ending Nigeria's hopes for automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In response, the NFF filed a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging that six DR Congo players who participated in the match were ineligible due to incomplete procedures for switching international allegiance.
The federation submitted its petition in December, arguing that proper documentation and clearance rules were not adhered to. Since then, Nigeria's qualification fate has hinged on FIFA's interpretation of regulations governing nationality changes and player registration. FIFA has announced that it will deliver its verdict on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Ijeh's Warning on FIFA's Likely Ruling
Ijeh, who earned five caps for the Super Eagles in the early 2000s, believes that FIFA is more inclined to impose fines rather than order replays or overturn match outcomes. In an interview with Brila, he highlighted that the prolonged delay in reaching a decision diminishes Nigeria's prospects of receiving a favorable ruling. "I think every organisation is going for the fine of a thing to fine the FA and players involved," Ijeh stated. "So the replay of a thing I do not see that coming because if replay should have been the solution, FIFA should have come out to say because of this and this there should be a replay and it should be fixed."
He further pointed out that with the 2026 World Cup scheduled for June and July, time constraints are a significant factor against any protest. "We are in 2026 already; we are talking about the FIFA World Cup in the next few months. June, July time factor is against every protest," Ijeh added, noting that external pressures, such as countries threatening to boycott the tournament, have pushed FIFA into making swift decisions, making late protests less likely to succeed.
Potential Implications and National Anticipation
Despite Ijeh's reservations, anticipation remains high across Nigeria as the FIFA ruling approaches. A decision in Nigeria's favor could potentially overturn the result of the play-off final, granting the Super Eagles a lifeline by allowing them to replace DR Congo in the Intercontinental Play-Off tournament scheduled for March. This would keep alive Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament they have not appeared in since Russia 2018, having also missed the 2022 event in Qatar.
Reports from Afrik-Foot indicate that officials at Nigeria's National Sports Commission have expressed confidence in a favorable ruling, believing the evidence submitted by the NFF is robust enough to warrant intervention. Supporters nationwide share this optimism, viewing the petition as a final opportunity to return to the global stage. In a related development, Nigerians are reportedly in a buoyant mood ahead of the decisive verdict, which will shape the country's 2026 World Cup journey.
The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for future disputes involving player eligibility in international football, highlighting the complexities of governance and regulation in the sport.
