The hopes of Nigeria's Super Eagles for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have taken a dramatic turn, with the national football federation lodging a formal protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, prominent Nigerian commentator JJ Omojuwa has cast serious doubt on the strength of Nigeria's case, describing it as fundamentally weak.
NFF's Formal Petition to FIFA
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi, addressed the press in Abuja. He confirmed that the federation has submitted a petition to world football's governing body, FIFA. The complaint centres on DR Congo's alleged use of ineligible players during the crucial World Cup qualifying playoffs held in Morocco.
Sanusi accused the Congolese Football Association of deceiving FIFA. He stated that DR Congo's national laws establish that "you cannot have dual nationality", yet several members of the Leopards' squad reportedly possess both European and Congolese passports. The NFF chief labelled the DR Congo FA's player registration as "fraudulent" and called for a full investigation.
Omojuwa's Three-Point Critique
Reacting swiftly to the development, public analyst Japheth Omojuwa took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) platform to outline why Nigeria's petition is unlikely to succeed. He presented three core arguments for his scepticism.
Firstly, Omojuwa asserted that DR Congo met FIFA's specific rules. He pointed out that the players in question submitted their Congolese passports to FIFA, which is the primary requirement for eligibility under FIFA statutes.
Secondly, he argued that the issue of dual nationality, as prohibited by Congolese domestic law, has nothing to do with FIFA's regulations. "You can only petition FIFA based on FIFA rules," he stated, implying that the NFF is citing the wrong legal framework.
Thirdly, Omojuwa suggested, partly in jest, that if the NFF genuinely wanted to pursue this line, they should petition the Congolese government to withdraw its team based on a breach of national law—a scenario he implied is highly improbable.
Mixed Reactions and Lingering Hope
The news has sparked a wave of reactions across Nigeria. While the NFF's action has kept a sliver of hope alive for fans dreaming of World Cup qualification, Omojuwa's analysis has poured cold water on expectations. The situation has also captured the attention of celebrities, with Nigerian singer Odumodublvck publicly urging football authorities to take all necessary action.
For now, the Super Eagles' fate rests in the hands of FIFA's disciplinary committee. The world football body is expected to review Nigeria's petition and the evidence presented by the NFF regarding the Congolese players' eligibility. The outcome will determine whether Nigeria's journey to the 2026 World Cup is miraculously revived or definitively concluded.
