National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko has clarified that while the Super Eagles’ competitive path to the 2026 World Cup appears concluded on the pitch, the nation’s ultimate fate now lies with the FIFA disciplinary chambers. Following a high-level briefing with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Dikko confirmed that a formal legal protest remains active against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted the petition following allegations that the Congolese side utilized ineligible players during the decisive African play-off final last November.
The core of the dispute centers on claims that the DRC fielded several dual-nationality stars, including high-profile names such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, whose status reportedly violates Congolese domestic laws regarding citizenship. Although the Leopards initially secured their progression via a 4-3 penalty shootout victory in Rabat, the NFF argues that the world governing body was misled during the player clearance process. Dikko maintained that despite the setback on the field, the administrative battle offers a final glimmer of hope for the three-time African champions.
“World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending. The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide,” Dikko stated while addressing the media after his routine engagement with the President.
Nigeria’s sporting authorities remain optimistic that a favorable ruling could trigger an eleventh-hour reinstatement for the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 2026. The NSC Chairman emphasized that the commission is meticulously following the judicial process, allowing FIFA’s specialized committees to review the evidence of alleged fraudulent registration. While unconfirmed reports of a 3-0 “boardroom victory” recently circulated on social media, Dikko urged patience, noting that only the official verdict from Zurich will determine if the Super Eagles can still book a ticket to the expanded 48-team tournament in North America.
Beyond the World Cup saga, Dikko utilized the visit to brief President Tinubu on the sports sector’s growing economic footprint, highlighting its 1.2% contribution to the national GDP in late 2025. He noted that the “Renewed Hope” sports initiative has already generated approximately 140,000 jobs, signaling a shift in how Nigeria measures athletic success. As the nation awaits the final word from FIFA, the government continues to prioritize the professionalization of the sports industry to ensure long-term stability and international competitiveness.
