The Nigerian football community is currently in a state of high-tension anticipation as FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee prepares to deliver its final ruling, on the formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the DR Congo Football Association (FECOFA).
The case, which centres on allegations of ineligible player fielding during their recent decisive FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter, has the potential to alter the landscape of African representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, said Nigeria has put the World Cup behind after failure to qualify.
However, Dikko insists that if the petition against DR Congo is found to be correct, then it would serve as another lifeline for the Super Eagles.
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The implications of this ruling;
If the result stands: DR Congo will proceed to the final playoff/qualification phase, leaving Nigeria out of the FIFA World Cup.
If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour: The Super Eagles would secure its spot in the next stage of the journey to North America for the World Cup.