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 Aliyu Musa

President Bola Tinubu congratulates the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles, for Saturday’s bronze medal victory at the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

The President commends the Super Eagles for putting behind them the disappointment of the semi-final loss to host nation Morocco last Wednesday.

The Super Eagles overpowered Egypt, defeating the seven-time AFCON winner, in a penalty shootout after the regular time, in which the Nigerian team dominated.

President Tinubu states that the Super Eagles players, through their victory, have once again demonstrated the determination, persistence, and can-do spirit associated with our country.

The President remarks: “Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.

“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off.

“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco.

“Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold.”

By Adams Oche

Benue State para athletes have decried lack of facilities and government neglect ahead of para-games.

Chairman of the association, Mr. Agada Austine, who disclosed this said the challenges are coming at a critical time when athletes are preparing for the para-games scheduled to hold in March.

They lamented absence of critical sports facilities, inadequate training equipment and prolonged neglect by the state government.

Agada maintained that the lack of basic infrastructure and motivation has greatly affected preparations and has equally compelled many talented athletes to leave the state for greener pastures.

He said, “We are preparing for the para-games coming up in March this year but there are numerous challenges that are confronting us like, the training facilities which need to be put in place, and shortage of training equipment.

“No tracks, as a thrower that I am, no facility for it, no kits. There should be closed camps for the athletes and most especially, monetary motivations which are the reasons Benue State is losing a lot of potential athletes to other states searching for greener pastures because there is no zeal to compete”.

Agada said representing Benue State remains a source of pride for members of the association, stressing that athletes are eager to compete for their home state if the challenges confronting them are addressed.

“We have worked so hard and are motivated by self passion. We started here in the state but because there is no motivation, some of us decided to compete for other states.

“It is pertinent to state here that, we members of this association have tried seeing the commissioner for sports a couple of times and have written letters for audience with him but surprisingly, no one has come to address us even as we speak, has not deemed it fit to address us, the athletes at the sports council and this is very wrong.

“As a youth and sports Commissioner, without sports that ministry will not be complete. We have written out request and documented it but no one to submit it to.”

He appealed to the state government to ensure timely approval and release of funds for sporting events, noting that delays have continued to embarrass the state at national competitions.

He cited the last National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta, where Benue’s contingent reportedly arrived late, resulting in only one athlete representing the state during the march past.

“When we returned from the last NSF in Abeokuta where we won medals, nothing was done about it up to appreciate us by the state even as we speak and this is enough to demoralize the spirit of the athletes who won medals for the state. At least, we should have been hosted, given awards and told well done for representing the state well in spite of the challenges that we faced, ranging from inadequate preparations due to lack of training pitches, financial backing and the late arrival to Abeokuta because it is not easy to leave your family behind to another state, for up to two weeks.”