By Dianabasi Effiong
The General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says the appeal process on the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rejected Nigeria’s petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo on the eligibility of some players used by that country in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria on Nov.16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, has begun.
He said the NFF had received FIFA’s verdict, adding that it was not satisfied with the decision, which rejected Nigeria’s petition.
“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” Sanusi said.
The NFF had presented a petition to the world football-governing body, FIFA, days after the said match, based on alleged fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified several players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Play-offs.
The match, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, was the Final of the African Play-offs.
The Democratic Republic of Congo won in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both teams were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time.
