EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian FA push back on FIFA’s ruling on DR Congo fielding ineligible players

[p]The NFF submitted a formal complaint to FIFA on December 15, 2025, alleging that the Congolese federation misled the governing body while securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players. [/p][p]The petition urged FIFA to investigate the case and consider disqualifying DR Congo from the qualification process.[/p][p]However, FIFA dismissed the complaint over procedural flaws.[/p][p]Unwilling to drop the matter, Nigerian football officials have now taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a bid to seek redress.[/p][p][b]"Football is a sport governed by rules, and ours should not be an exception. FIFA has delivered its ruling, but we will not step back until the right judgement is reached,"[/b] an NFF executive, who requested anonymity told Flashscore.[/p][p][b]"Many people have criticised the Nigeria Football Federation for filing a protest earlier, with some suggesting we are trying to sneak in through the back door, but that is far from the truth.[/b][/p][p][b]"This is not an act of desperation and our position is simply to uphold football’s core principle which is fair play. [/b][/p][p][b]"If issues like this are not addressed now, they could set a dangerous precedent in a sport loved across the world. I strongly believe justice will prevail in the end."[/b][/p][p]Backing this stance, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated that the federation is discontented with FIFA’s ruling and remains determined to seek justice through the governing body’s appellate process.[/p][p][b]"We respect FIFA but firmly disagree with this decision. We believe there are strong grounds for appeal and will present additional evidence,"[/b] said Sanusi.[/p][p][b]"Our duty is to defend Nigeria’s interest. We cannot overlook issues that may compromise transparency and credibility in such an important match.[/b][/p][p]"We expect the appeals process to be thorough and fair.[/p][p][b]"Our objective is not conflict, but clarity and adherence to the rules governing global football."[/b][/p][p]Meanwhile, as DR Congo prepare for the intercontinental play-off, where they are scheduled to face either New Caledonia or Jamaica for a place at the World Cup, two of the disputed players - [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/balikwisha-michel-ange/EktRmLrL/"]Michel-Ange Balikwisha[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/stroeykens-mario/jBAfzFj5/"]Mario Stroeykens[/a] - have been omitted from the country’s latest 26-man squad.[/p][image alt="Author" id="09e7f0eb-fdc1-457e-ba00-ab7e08524fb4" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="fd3684b1-373d-416d-a372-54c5dc884c4a" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]