As fresh revelations emerged over FIFA’s decision to award DR Congo World Cup playoff slot, David Meshioye examines the unseen hand that allegedly pushed Nigeria’s petition off FIFA’s radar.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau must be cursing his luck right now after reading that the world soccer governing FIFA, deliberately ignored its eligibility rules and allowed DR Congo to participate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the expense of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Far from that, the fact that his money-spinning lofty job as Capon du tutti of Nigerian football would have been kept alive had Nigeria featured in the USA, Canada and Mexico World Cup makes it even more painful. Perhaps, Gusau and his backroom staff would have been spared the blushes if Nigeria had participated at the quadrennial event. But all he can do now is curse his luck and suffer his ordeal in silence after his resignation.
The global football family was thrown into another fresh debate after The New York Times revealed that FIFA lawyers knew back in March 2026 that Congo DR was guilty of breaking its player ineligibility rule by fielding Lionel Mpasi in the World Cup qualifiers. They knew Congo had not completed the official paperwork for the goalkeeper to switch his international allegiance from his native France in 2021 before facing Nigeria. Faced with possible international backlash, findings revealed that the lawyers drew up possible options, which include banning Congo Dr from facing Jamaica in the playoffs and giving Nigeria the nod to take its place. Other options include several sanctions, but alas! FIFA lawyers looked away and did absolutely nothing on the ground that the protest was filed late, after Nigeria lost to Congo in November African playoffs.
Mpasi went on to feature in the playoffs, knocking out Jamaica to book a safe passage to the World Cup while Nigeria players, officials and fans missed out on the event for the second time in a row. What a shame! But If Infantino thought the Europeans were giving him trouble, he’s in for a surprise. Nigerians will chase him out now.
FIFA stated in clear terms that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) only raised what it described as an inadmissible protest and argued that no proper protest was filed.
“We can confirm that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee dealt with a protest filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in this respect. Following a procedure, the protest was declared inadmissible by this FIFA body.
“This disciplinary decision was communicated to the NFF in early March 2026, and as no proper appeal was lodged, the decision became final and binding.
“FIFA’s judicial bodies are autonomous and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. FIFA strongly rejects any suggestion that the FIFA President would interfere with these processes.” FIFA Spokesperson Bryan Swanson said in a statement.
But Gusau lambasted FIFA for its silence, saying: “They just kept quiet, and they can’t tell anyone because they know it’s going to be a serious crisis for them.”
FIFA And Corruption
The current scenario lends credence to the fact that FIFA-led Infantino still tops the lists in the pecking order of corrupt organisations in the world. The Congo DR saga now adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding Gianni after he overruled USA Folarin Balogun’s red card after Donald Trump admitted that he called the Swiss to intervene. Besides, word was rife among UEFA eggeheads that Infantino intends to sell part of a future FIFA tournament to a private company run by the brother of Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
It is no news that FIFA has, in the past, changed results of matches that involved player ineligibility. The World soccer governing body penalised Malaysia with three 3-0 defeats for fielding ineligible players after Vietnam complained that Malaysia’s 4-0 win in an Asian Cup qualifier was aided by three ineligible players. Besides, Malaysia’s friendly wins over Palestine and Singapore, and a draw against Cape Verde, were also overturned.
Also, Bolivia’s two 2018 World Cup fixtures were cancelled after it discovered some discrepancies in players’ eligibility. So why was Nigeria’s case treated differently? What the NFF did not know is that the head of Congolese football, Véron Mosengo-Omba, played a huge role in FIFA’s decision to bin Nigeria’s protest.
The Véron Mosengo-Omba Conundrum
While Nigerian authorities were confident of winning their protest against Congo DR in the run-off to the final playoffs against Jamaica, unseen hands were frequenting between Kinshasa and Zurich while NFF chieftains, with its age-old antecedents of praying for miracles, sat back in Abuja. What the NFF did not know is that the head of Congolese football, Véron Mosengo-Omba, has been an ardent supporter of Gianni Infantino for decades and would do anything humanly possible to keep the Swiss as FIFA president. Besides, fresh facts emerged that Veron had attended same University with Gianni in Switzerland. Little wonder why Gianni allowed Veron, a man allegedly said to have dual nationality oversees CAF Secretariat job when some DRC football officials raised objections about his appointment.
Former NFF chairman, Amaju Pinnick, had, during one of its nocturnal awards, told Nigerians why Gianni Infantino should be regarded as ”Friend of Nigeria”. But where was that friendship when all Nigeria needed from the Swiss was to just play by the rules? As at press time, Pinnick is yet to respond to The Guardian’s text messages.
It speaks volumes about the NFF’s lack of competent and strategic leadership that knows its onions when it comes to global politics. Someone who can stand up and fight till the war is won. A stronger appeal would have forced FIFA to reconsider its decisions. The 2026 World Cup qualifiers between South Africa and Nigeria were played on a bumpy Toyota Stadium (also known as the Free State Stadium) in Bloemfontein, South Africa; the NFF never protested. Same with Guinea-Bissau, and the Nigerian Sports Ministry never pushed for a neutral venue but chose to play on the poor pitch (even though it was not a tangible excuse for Super Eagles’ 3-0 loss). It’s about time Nigeria shed its giant of Africa’s weight and get involved in football politics.
Former Nigeria international and chairman, Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, Harrison Jalla, has alleged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) only concocted a “fake” petition against DR Congo to divert the attention of football-loving Nigerians and the Federal Government from their mismanagement of the country’s bid to qualify for the Mundial.
“The NFF concocted a fake petition against DR Congo, in which they alleged dual citizenship, amongst other accusations, against DRC players, and submitted it to FIFA.
“The so-called secret petition was intentionally filed out of time, sent to the wrong email address, and with no protest fees paid,” he stated.
According to Jalla, the clear intention was to deceive President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians in general into believing that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup through a petition that the petitioners knew very well was not properly filed before FIFA.
“Surprisingly, the National Sports Commission, through its Chairman, sustained this narrative to Mr President and the nation.
“Where is a copy of the petition? Who filed it? Where is a copy of FIFA’s response? Where is the copy of the petition to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)?
Some strong critics of the FA believe many unfavourable FIFA decisions were shoved down the NFF’s throat because Nigerian official are afraid of being probed for its reckless FIFA Goal Project spending
Cameroonian-born ex-FIFA official, Prince Zelkifli Rahman Ngoufonja, slammed for its two-faced attitude and revealed that Mosengo-Omba’s election prospects “could have been damaged” if FIFA had removed DR Congo from the World Cup.
Why Cry Over Spilt Milk?
At this juncture, Nigeria and Jamaica are seriously weighing their options and may consider suing FIFA for robbing them of a place at the 2026 World Cup. A top sport official chieftain who pleaded anonimity revealed that the country will study the scenarion and come up with a statement, but decline to comment on any next line of action.
“Nothing has been decided yet, but we will seriously consider seeking compensation from FIFA for all of the economic losses this has cost Nigeria.
“The revenue that the Super Eagles and the NFF would have received from participating at the World Cup, the exposure that players would have got, transfers, the sponsorship fees, even the boost to the Nigerian economy. We are exploring all our options as a country and nothing is off the table.” an official from the Nigerian National Sports Commission (NSC) told ESPN.
Jamaica Football Federation also urged FIFA to take the issue of player ineligibility seriously, and apply the rules and regulations fairly.
“Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process.”
Ex-Super Eagles defender, who pleaded anonymity, urged NFF to put the past behind them and focus on the next FIFA World Cup, warning that Nigeria must do everything possible to qualify.
” It is painful, though, but nothing can be done to reverse that decision. Congo had featured at the World Cup, which ordinarily they shouldn’t. But it is up to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to put the past behind them and move on. They must ensure Nigeria qualify for the next World Cup,” he told The Guardian.
Conclussion
As Nigeria continues to lick its wounds, one thing is sure; Infantino may have lost the support of one of Africa’s football bigwigs in the run-up to the March 2027 FIFA election. His determination to cling to his role may have been dealt a big blow amid UEFA’S campaign to oust him. But it remains to be seen how Nigerian authorities intend to restrategise his political role in global football. But when will the fat lady sing?