By Charles Pemu 
KINSHASA, DR CONGO — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued a blistering response to the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) formal petition to FIFA, warning the Super Eagles against attempting to secure a World Cup spot through “legal tricks” rather than on-pitch performance. The escalating tension follows Nigeria’s challenge against the eligibility of several Congolese players who featured in the 2026 World Cup playoff that saw the Super Eagles eliminated.
The Leopards of DR Congo secured their place in the Intercontinental Playoffs after defeating Nigeria on penalties in November 2025. However, the NFF has now moved to overturn that result, alleging that the DRC fielded players who were ineligible under international nationality regulations. In a pointed statement on their official social media channels, the Congolese national team dismissed the claims, asserting that the World Cup must be approached with dignity rather than administrative maneuvers.
The NFF’s petition centers on a complex intersection of FIFA eligibility rules and Congolese domestic law. Nigeria argues that several players who switched their international allegiance to the DRC may not have complied with the requirements, particularly as DR Congo’s national laws do not officially recognise dual citizenship.
NFF Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that the federation had formally raised these concerns with the world football governing body. He specifically pointed to players holding European passports, including those from the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, questioning how they could legally hold Congolese sporting eligibility if their home country forbids dual nationality. Sanusi alleged that while FIFA initially cleared these players based on documentation provided by Kinshasa, the world body may have been misled regarding the legal status of their citizenship.
Divided Opinions Among Football Experts
The strength of Nigeria’s case has sparked a heated debate among prominent African football journalists. Some veterans have expressed skepticism, noting that FIFA’s primary concern is “sporting eligibility”—specifically whether a player possesses a valid passport for the country they represent at the time of the match. Critics of the petition argue that FIFA does not typically interfere with domestic immigration or citizenship timelines, suggesting that as long as Congolese passports were presented, the challenge may face an uphill battle.
Conversely, other respected analysts insist that the situation is far more serious for the Leopards. Comparisons have been drawn to the recent high-profile case involving Equatorial Guinea’s Emilio Nsue, where a lack of proper documentation led to significant sanctions. Proponents of the NFF’s move suggest that if the “back door” challenge uncovers a breach of FIFA’s strict statutes on nationality, the DRC could face disqualification, potentially reinstating Nigeria into the qualification race.
FIFA has yet to issue an official ruling on the matter. The timing is critical, as the Intercontinental Playoffs represent the final hurdle for teams seeking a spot in the 2026 showpiece. Should FIFA rule in favour of the NFF, the Super Eagles could be sensationally reinstated, provided the next round of matches has not already been concluded.
For now, the Congolese football authorities remain defiant, urging Nigeria to accept the results of the game played in November. The football world remains on edge as it awaits a definitive decision from Zurich that could fundamentally alter Africa’s representation at the upcoming World Cup.