Sports
FIFA yet to rule on NFF petition against DR Congo — Dikko
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, says FIFA has yet to communicate a ruling on the petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged ineligible players.
Dikko spoke with journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.
The controversy stems from Nigeria’s defeat to DR Congo on penalties in the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, a loss that ended the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes. In December, the NFF petitioned FIFA, accusing the Congolese FA of clearing players who allegedly contravened the country’s citizenship laws. The federation claimed some of the “fraudulently registered” players featured in the playoffs.
The case is now before FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee. However, amid circulating fake verdicts online, Dikko clarified that FIFA has not indicated when a decision will be delivered.
“Even FIFA, it’s not FIFA deciding. There are independent bodies — disciplinary committee, ethics committee — they are independent bodies of FIFA. They make their decisions based on the rules, and when they finish, they will tell the world,” he said.
Dikko maintained that Nigeria has a “good case” and expressed confidence in the evidence submitted. He added, however, that the country has moved on from the World Cup setback and is focused on future competitions, including the next AFCON and WAFCON tournaments.
Beyond the FIFA matter, Dikko revealed that the sports sector created nearly 140,000 jobs in 2025, both directly and indirectly. He said the figure reflects the broader economic impact of sports under the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
According to him, sports is now being measured not only by medals but also by its contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP). He noted that in November, he had disclosed that sports was contributing “almost more than” one percent to the nation’s GDP.
Dikko added that discussions with the President also focused on fast-tracking sports infrastructure development nationwide, covering both elite and grassroots sports.
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