Sports
Nigeria’s world Cup Hope Alive as FIFA Awards Playoff Victory Over Ineligible DR Congo’s Player
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has ruled in favour of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in an eligibility dispute arising from the Best Losers Playoff match against the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has ruled in favour of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in an eligibility dispute arising from the Best Losers Playoff match against the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In its decision issued under the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the 2026 World Cup Qualification Framework, the Committee held that DR Congo fielded an ineligible player during the decisive playoff encounter.
The match, which ended in a 2–1 victory for DR Congo, had provisionally secured advancement for the Central African side. However, Nigeria lodged a formal protest, alleging that one of DR Congo’s players had not completed the required nationality switch process before featuring in the fixture.
After reviewing the official match report, player registration documents, correspondence between FECOFA and FIFA’s Players’ Status Department, and submissions from both federations, the Committee found that the player had previously represented another national association at youth level and had initiated, but not completed, a formal change of association.
According to the Committee’s findings, written approval from FIFA — a mandatory requirement before representing a new national team in an “A” international match — had not been granted prior to the playoff. No provisional clearance was issued.
Citing Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the Committee ruled that fielding an ineligible player in an official competition match warrants forfeiture.
Consequently, the match was declared forfeited, and the result was recorded as DR Congo 0–3 Nigeria. The Super Eagles were therefore declared winners of the Best Losers Playoff Round and awarded qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While DR Congo has been disqualified from the playoff pathway, the federation retains the right to appeal before the FIFA Appeals Committee.
In its observations, the Committee underscored the importance of strict compliance with nationality switch procedures, particularly in high-stakes fixtures determining World Cup qualification, noting that administrative processes must be fully concluded before player participation.
By Felix Umande
Arsenal have clinched the Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England and igniting celebrations across North London.
The Gunners’ triumph marks their first league title since the 2003-04 “Invincibles” season, restoring the club to the summit of English football after more than two decades of near misses.
At the heart of the success is manager Mikel Arteta, who has made history by becoming the first former Premier League player to win the trophy as a manager. Arteta, who captained Arsenal during his playing days, has now guided his former club to the pinnacle as head coach.
The milestone cements Arteta’s transformation of the squad since taking charge, blending youthful energy with tactical discipline to deliver the club’s long-awaited return to the top.
Fans and former players have hailed the achievement as a defining moment in Arsenal’s modern era, with the title win seen as both a reward for the club’s rebuild and a statement of intent for the seasons ahead.
Burna Boy and Shakira released “Daï Daï” as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The song will support a global education initiative targeting $100 million in funding for disadvantaged children through royalties and donations.
FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime concert for the first time.
Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy strengthened his position as one of Africa’s leading global music figures after collaborating with Shakira on “Daï Daï,” the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The track, released globally on Thursday, May 14, became the second single from the tournament’s official album and received a significantly warmer reception than “Lighter,” the first single performed by Jelly Roll and Carín León, which drew mixed reactions from audiences.
On her Instagram account, Shakira released a one-minute video revealing the title selected for the 2026 World Cup. The footage showed the singer walking through Maracanã Stadium after a live performance attended by a large crowd while carrying “Trionda,” the tournament’s official ball.
“Today, the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 reached a new milestone with the release of the competition’s official song, Daï Daï, performed by Shakira and Burna Boy via Sony Music Latin,”FIFA said on its official website.
Afrobeats Secures a Global Stage
“Daï Daï” blends Latin pop and Afrobeats influences. The expression reportedly derives from Italian and means “Go!” — a universal chant of encouragement.
Shakira and Burna Boy combined their vocals and stage energy to celebrate football’s global appeal and cross-cultural exchange.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, plays a central role in the project. The 35-year-old artist brought Afrobeats’ signature sound and his international profile to the song, while Shakira contributed her Latin pop identity.
The collaboration further established Afrobeats as a major force in global music and positioned Burna Boy as one of the defining musical faces of the 2026 tournament.
Earlier this spring, Burna Boy became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at Stade de France. He also released his ninth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness” , in July 2025. The project remained rooted in Afrobeats while featuring collaborations with Mick Jagger, Travis Scott and Stromae.
Meanwhile, FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, will include a halftime concert inspired by the Super Bowl format for the first time.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will also mark the first edition featuring 48 national teams.
“Daï Daï” Supports Children’s Education
The “Daï Daï” initiative also carries a philanthropic dimension.
In partnership with FIFA and Global Citizen, Shakira aims to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football programs for disadvantaged children worldwide.
The project will direct all royalties generated by the song to the Education Fund. Meanwhile, Sony Music announced an initial donation of $250,000 to support the initiative and expand its social impact.
Ubrick F. Quenum
Flight FC Gboko etched their name into history after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lobi Stars FC to clinch their first-ever Benue State FA Cup title.
The decisive moment came early in the contest when Kpamor Gemanen struck in the 20th minute, a goal that ultimately proved enough to separate both sides in a tightly contested final. Showing resilience and discipline, the Gboko-based side held firm against pressure from the more established Lobi Stars outfit to see out the historic win.
Dubbed the “Gboko Transporters,” Flight FC delivered a composed performance, combining defensive solidity with tactical awareness to protect their slender lead until the final whistle.
The triumph marks a significant milestone for the club, underlining their rise within Benue football and signaling their growing ambition on the domestic scene.
For Lobi Stars, it was a disappointing outing despite their pedigree, as they were unable to break down a determined Flight FC side that had its sights firmly set on making history.
Celebrations erupted at full-time as Flight FC Gboko players, officials, and supporters savoured a landmark achievement that will be remembered for years to come.
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