NSC Chairman Confident Nigeria Will Prevail in FIFA World Cup Eligibility Row Against DR Congo
Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has expressed strong optimism that Nigeria will secure a favorable ruling in its ongoing eligibility dispute with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) before FIFA. The controversy emerged following Nigeria's 4-3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs last November.
Grounds of the Protest and Legal Concerns
After the defeat, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal petition with FIFA, questioning the eligibility of certain Congolese players. The protest centers on concerns related to DR Congo's national laws, which reportedly restrict dual citizenship for adults. The NFF argues that some Congolese players may hold European passports while representing their national team, potentially violating domestic legal provisions.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Dikko emphasized that Nigeria's complaint is based on documented concerns rather than dissatisfaction with the playoff result. "It is what it is. When we came in as a sports commission, the World Cup qualification campaign was already in a difficult position. We had three points out of 12, but we worked closely with the NFF and pushed hard. We nearly made it," Dikko stated.
Due Process and FIFA's Independent Review
Dikko further clarified that the matter is now before independent judicial bodies within FIFA, including its disciplinary and ethics committees, which will determine the outcome based strictly on established regulations. "We lost on penalties, but we identified certain breaches even before the playoffs and documented them. Together with the NFF, we submitted what we believe are violations of the rules. It's not about being sore losers; it's about due process," he explained.
He noted that these bodies operate independently and do not announce specific timelines for their decisions. "These bodies operate independently. They won't announce timelines. When they conclude their review, they will inform the world," Dikko added, underscoring the procedural nature of the case.
Moving Forward and Future Focus
Despite the pending FIFA decision, Dikko emphasized that Nigeria has moved on from the World Cup setback and is now focused on upcoming competitions. This includes preparations for the next Africa Cup of Nations and the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. "The World Cup chapter is closed for us, but we still have a legal matter before FIFA. We are confident we have a strong case. That is why we filed it," he concluded, highlighting Nigeria's commitment to both legal recourse and future sporting endeavors.
