'Not FIFA': Tinubu's Appointee Mentions Group That Will Decide on Nigeria’s Case Against DR Congo
- Nigeria's NSC chairman has asserted that FIFA does not solely determine World Cup qualifier play-off spots
- The complaint by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over DR Congo players highlights concerns about dual citizenship regulations
- Amid widespread anxiety, Dikko clarified that FIFA's independent bodies will make final rulings on eligibility disputes
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering football and sports in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has said the authority to determine the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s direct play-off spot in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers does not rest with FIFA per se.
According to The Cable, Dikko made the remarks while speaking with journalists after a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng recalls that in December 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal complaint with the world's football governing body, FIFA, over certain Democratic Republic of Congo players, alleging they were ineligible to feature. The NFF argued that Congolese law does not permit dual citizenship, raising concerns about players holding European passports while representing the African nation.
Dikko: Independent FIFA bodies to decide
Addressing the controversy, Dikko, an appointee of President Tinubu, explained that independent judicial bodies within FIFA would handle and rule on the matter. He added that Gianni Infantino-led FIFA itself has not issued a decision and would not specify when exactly a final verdict will be delivered.
Premium Times quoted Dikko as saying:
“Even FIFA, it’s not the FIFA deciding, there are independent bodies in FIFA who are independent of FIFA; disciplinary committee, ethics committee, are independent bodies of FIFA, they make their decision based on what they see on the rules and they won’t tell you, we are doing it tomorrow or next tomorrow, when they finish, they will tell the world.”
FIFA World Cup: Nigeria challenges DR Congo
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes now hinge on FIFA’s ruling. After losing to DR Congo in a penalty shoot-out during the intercontinental play-off in November 2025, the NFF formally petitioned FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded multiple ineligible players.
The dispute centres on a clash between FIFA’s nationality-switch regulations and DR Congo’s constitutional prohibition on dual citizenship. The NFF claims that FIFA was misled during the player clearance process.
Source: Twitter
Sanusi Mohammed, the NFF general secretary, described the situation as a “dual nationality trap,” asserting that due process was compromised.
If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, the Leopards of Congo could be disqualified and replaced in the play-off bracket.
Football expert speaks on FIFA delay
Meanwhile, a sports analyst, Femi Fabunmi, told Legit.ng that FIFA's delay is causing stress and uncertainty for players, fans, and officials.
According to Fabunmi, the suspense impacts teams' mental preparedness and strategy, especially with the FIFA World Cup at stake.
He said:
"FIFA dragging their feet on the Nigeria vs DR Congo case is classic. They move slower than a snail in molasses when the stakes are high. The uncertainty is brutal for players, fans, and everyone following the World Cup.
"Imagine training, strategising, and celebrating victories, only for a pending verdict to hang over the whole thing like a cloud. It is not just about points on the table; it’s about morale, planning, and national pride. Makes you wonder, is FIFA really weighing every angle carefully, or are they just buying time to dodge backlash from whichever way they decide? Either way, the suspense is 'maddening' for Nigerian fans."
Read more on Super Eagles of Nigeria:
- Nigeria vs DR Congo: Obidient speaks on what FIFA’s verdict will prove ahead of 2026 World Cup
- Eric Chelle set to invite 2 new players to Super Eagles for tournament in Jordan
Anti-Congo petition: Man tackles Nigeria
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a man, @Theopulenceman, took to his social media page to condemn the petition filed against DR Congo.
The social media user accused Nigeria of attempting to exploit Congolese laws to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The internet user boldly asserted that Nigeria will not qualify for the 2026 World Cup tournament and explained why.
Source: Legit.ng
