*Nigeria Awaits FIFA Decision On Protest Against DRC
THE Federation of International Football Federations (FIFA) has sanctioned Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterparts over breaches during their 2026 World Cup continental play-off in November last year.
According to the disciplinary overview released by FIFA’s judicial body, both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the DR Congo Football Association (Fecofa) were found guilty of separate breaches during the match.
The NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,270; £950) after determining that it failed to ensure proper “order and security,” particularly following the “throwing of objects” by spectators during the game, which was deemed a violation under Article 17.2.b and Article 17 of the FIFA disciplinary code.
The Congolese FA was fined 5,000 Swiss francs after supporters were found to have used “laser pointers or similar electronic devices,” which constitutes a breach of Article 17.2.d.
The African play-off final on November 16, last year, in Rabat, Morocco, ended with DRC’s 4-3 victory on penalties after extra time, following a 1-1 draw.
The result dashed Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 2018.
Moments before Leopards captain, Chancel Mbemba, converted the decisive spot-kick, Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, accused DRC officials of attempting to use voodoo.
Following the defeat, the NFF lodged a formal protest with FIFA, questioning the eligibility of several DRC players who had switched international allegiance.
Nigeria’s complaint centres on domestic laws in DRC that reportedly do not recognise dual citizenship for adults; hence raised questions over the eligibility of Premier League players, such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom featured in the match.
With just two weeks remaining before the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico to decide which countries qualify for the World Cup finals, the sanctions have heightened anticipation surrounding FIFA’s decision on the NFF’s protest.
However, FIFA has included DRC in the fixtures for the coming intercontinental World Cup play-offs to face the winner of the match between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31.
Leopards head, coach Sebastien Desabre, has named a 26-man squad, with Yoane Wissa returning after missing last year’s Africa Cup of Nations due to a knee injury.
DRC are hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
