THE Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the play-offs, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has claimed.
Dikko has stated that a formal complaint submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to FIFA over the eligibility of several DR Congo players is currently under review and could affect the outcome of the qualification race.
The former NFF vice-president yesterday explained why Nigeria approached FIFA after reviewing DR Congo’s squad used in the African play-offs for the World Cup.
DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles in the African play-offs final in Morocco in November to advance to the inter-continental play-offs scheduled for Mexico in March.
However, DR Congo are being accused of fielding players with dual citizenship without completing the process of nationality changes in accordance with FIFA laws and the country’s own citizenship laws.
Dikko said Nigeria’s decision to seek clarification from FIFA was guided strictly by the rules of the game, stressing that the process is part of international football and not an emotional reaction to match results.
“We’re not sore losers, but it’s part of the rules,” he told Arise News.
According to Dikko, Nigeria routinely monitors the eligibility of opposing teams’ players, and concerns were raised after reviewing the DR Congo squad and the clearances obtained before the match.
He explained that Nigeria sought legal guidance before escalating the matter to FIFA.
“We bring in our legal teams…we look at the legal opinion, we look at the laws, we find out that they’re some suspicion that some things haven’t been done right according to the laws of the game and what FIFA has required before you can have an eligible player,” Dikko said.
“We issued our complaint to FIFA and now it’s being looked at. Our case is very tight. We’re not sore losers and our case is very tight I think. It’s part of the laws.”
Dikko noted that the sudden clearances of several players with dual nationality just before the play-offs raised red flags, and DR Congo might have deliberately conned FIFA to get those clearances.
DR Congo officials have publicly dismissed Nigeria’s claims but the NSC chairman said Nigeria remains hopeful as the process continues, noting that the country will respect FIFA’s final decision, whatever it is.