African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Agbam]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

No its not just about the NFF trying to right their wrong. It's about identifying an opportunity and taking advantage of it. The naturalization process of the Congo DR is clear, and there are indications that some players didn't go through the right procedure.

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

I believe the following: On the field, when two teams play and one of them wins without the influence of the referees, then that team deserves the victory. Congo won and Nigeria lost because they couldn't be better than Congo; accepting that is what Nigeria should do. For example, Nigeria beat my country, Mozambique, and I even congratulated Nigeria because, without a doubt, Nigeria is 100 times better than my country's national team.

Sometimes I would want to support this motion that Congo should qualify as they beat us free and fair… that is right But if there’s a rule or a law and there’s a bridge of it no matter how small should be loooked at.
If the petition of the NFF is true and the FiFA finds Congo guilty then there’ll be punishment otherwise nothing at all.


In other news.., the UEFA Champions League match between Club Brugge vs ATH Madrid has seen two Nigerians on both sides appear on the scoresheet. Incredible Lookman continues his fine form for ATM.

[Spaceman1000$]

As you all must have heard, the NFF have filled a petition to FIFA regarding the Congoleese feilding 6 players who are ineligible to paritipate for the inter-continental playoffs.

The NFF is yet to hear a verdict this week. As FIFA has made it clear that the World Cup qualification is not decided only by goals, points, and form. It is also decided by obedience to the rules and regulations, documentation, and whether each federation meet their demands of the FIFA rulebook.

The NFF is try their possible best for the super eagles of Nigeria to get a place in the world cup. I am against the NFF still making a move for FIFA to disqualify Dr. Congo so that the super eagles can take Dr. Congo's place in the world cup but if Dr. Congo actually cheated in the world cup inter-continental playoffs by feilding 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF did the right thing in filing a petition to draw FIFA's attention to what Dr. Congo did because Dr. Congo would not cheat to get a place in the world cup and expect the super eagles of Nigeria and the NFF to keep silent when they found out Dr. Congo featured 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs.

I've heard a lot of people say, oh Nigeria wants to qualify to the world cup through the back door, a lot have been said by different people, however if we check through the merit of the matter, you will agree with me that the merit of the case needs the attention of of FIFA to be brought upon. Somebody went against his own rules, but doesn't want to be called upon. So let's wait and see FIFA's verdict on this matter, because the final judgement by FIFA will serve as an example to other's, so all eyes are keenly waiting to see what will happen.

[Mayor of ogba]

As you all must have heard, the NFF have filled a petition to FIFA regarding the Congoleese feilding 6 players who are ineligible to paritipate for the inter-continental playoffs.

The NFF is yet to hear a verdict this week. As FIFA has made it clear that the World Cup qualification is not decided only by goals, points, and form. It is also decided by obedience to the rules and regulations, documentation, and whether each federation meet their demands of the FIFA rulebook.

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

I'm even happy that FIFA don't care about the petition of the NFF about DR Congo featuring six players who aren't eligible to play against the Super Eagles in the inter-continental playoffs. Since the Super Eagles couldn't qualify for the World Cup that will happen in June, I think NFF should forget about trying to qualify for the World Cup through the back door because they can never achieve that.

[Mr Reporter]

I'm even happy that FIFA don't care about the petition of the NFF about DR Congo featuring six players who aren't eligible to play against the Super Eagles in the inter-continental playoffs. Since the Super Eagles couldn't qualify for the World Cup that will happen in June, I think NFF should forget about trying to qualify for the World Cup through the back door because they can never achieve that.

I really don’t even care about those so called NFF i feel is there any need for the features matter I think you should accept the truth of the matter, in the first place if the AFCON was our no but I think becoming second place was no big deal in it…I feel all this energy that their brings up it not even the best way to go about it all this you have really is worth there ..

[SatoPrincess]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

Makes no sense to me. I find it annoying that they are even pursuing this, it’s not the ideal way for a team like Nigeria to get a spot in the World Cup. Makes us look like sore losers.

After all, I hear rumour of Erich Chelle presenting his application to be Olympique Marselle manager, meaning if the deal goes through he will forfeit being the Super Eagles manager.

That’s not happening. Various sources have confirmed that Marseille has appointed Habib Beye as their new manager. So Eric Chelle is definitely not in the picture.

[GiftedMAN]

I'm even happy that FIFA don't care about the petition of the NFF about DR Congo featuring six players who aren't eligible to play against the Super Eagles in the inter-continental playoffs. Since the Super Eagles couldn't qualify for the World Cup that will happen in June, I think NFF should forget about trying to qualify for the World Cup through the back door because they can never achieve that.

The performance of the Super Eagles in the just concluded nations cup is the reason why you see a lot of Nigerians trying to see if the judgement will go in favour of Nigeria but if we are being honest I don't think we should be happy if that happens because it doesn't make us a good team since the world will know that we qualified through corners. The NFF should be disappointed by the outcome of that judgment so that they will learn to stop being greedy and release funds meant for players to players so that they will play well and do other necessary things that will affect their performance. Nigeria should prepare early and stop depending on luck to qualify for any competition.

[Mayor of ogba]

I'm even happy that FIFA don't care about the petition of the NFF about DR Congo featuring six players who aren't eligible to play against the Super Eagles in the inter-continental playoffs. Since the Super Eagles couldn't qualify for the World Cup that will happen in June, I think NFF should forget about trying to qualify for the World Cup through the back door because they can never achieve that.

The performance of the Super Eagles in the just concluded nations cup is the reason why you see a lot of Nigerians trying to see if the judgement will go in favour of Nigeria but if we are being honest I don't think we should be happy if that happens because it doesn't make us a good team since the world will know that we qualified through corners. The NFF should be disappointed by the outcome of that judgment so that they will learn to stop being greedy and release funds meant for players to players so that they will play well and do other necessary things that will affect their performance. Nigeria should prepare early and stop depending on luck to qualify for any competition.

A lot of Nigerians has already accepted that the Super Eagles won't take part in the World Cup tournament scheduled to kick off in June but, since Dr Congo went against the rule of FIFA by featuring six players that weren't eligible to play in the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF has the full right to make sure DR Congo is punished for that act. But FIFA shouldn't disqualify DR Congo if they are guilty of what the NFF is accusing them of so that the NFF will learn to take the affairs of the Super Eagles seriously.

[Tonimez]

I'm even happy that FIFA don't care about the petition of the NFF about DR Congo featuring six players who aren't eligible to play against the Super Eagles in the inter-continental playoffs. Since the Super Eagles couldn't qualify for the World Cup that will happen in June, I think NFF should forget about trying to qualify for the World Cup through the back door because they can never achieve that.

The performance of the Super Eagles in the just concluded nations cup is the reason why you see a lot of Nigerians trying to see if the judgement will go in favour of Nigeria but if we are being honest I don't think we should be happy if that happens because it doesn't make us a good team since the world will know that we qualified through corners. The NFF should be disappointed by the outcome of that judgment so that they will learn to stop being greedy and release funds meant for players to players so that they will play well and do other necessary things that will affect their performance. Nigeria should prepare early and stop depending on luck to qualify for any competition.

A lot of Nigerians has already accepted that the Super Eagles won't take part in the World Cup tournament scheduled to kick off in June but, since Dr Congo went against the rule of FIFA by featuring six players that weren't eligible to play in the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF has the full right to make sure DR Congo is punished for that act. But FIFA shouldn't disqualify DR Congo if they are guilty of what the NFF is accusing them of so that the NFF will learn to take the affairs of the Super Eagles seriously.

Do you think that not disqualifying DR Congo after they are declared guilty would change anything in the NFF?  It would be personal judging based on individual perceptions. A spade is to be called a spade at all times and if DR Congo has gone against the rules, that means they never won the game and also it's like bringing Brazilians of Spaniards to come help you lift a trophy in your continent. Six players are way too much to be a mistake and if this is proven, they should be disqualified outrightly. Football wins occur due to opponents mistakes and same can still happen in this case.

Days ago, a rumour came out saying that FIFA has concluded on the matter and that DR Congo is finally disqualified before a follow up FIFA disclaimer which made Nigerians sober again. The rules should be followed with no emotions attached.

[Callido]

A lot of Nigerians has already accepted that the Super Eagles won't take part in the World Cup tournament scheduled to kick off in June but, since Dr Congo went against the rule of FIFA by featuring six players that weren't eligible to play in the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF has the full right to make sure DR Congo is punished for that act. But FIFA shouldn't disqualify DR Congo if they are guilty of what the NFF is accusing them of so that the NFF will learn to take the affairs of the Super Eagles seriously.

Which side are you on? punishing DR Congo for featuring ineligible players as to the rules or allowing Congo walk away after breaking the rules just so Nigerian will try harder in their next qualification matches. As a Nigerian you should be happy getting the opportunity, our performance may not merit the opportunity but sometimes the unexpected happen just to favor us.

[Adbitco]

Sometimes I would want to support this motion that Congo should qualify as they beat us free and fair… that is right But if there’s a rule or a law and there’s a bridge of it no matter how small should be loooked at.
If the petition of the NFF is true and the FiFA finds Congo guilty then there’ll be punishment otherwise nothing at all.

Lol, we are just too emotional on everything, the rule is the rule and DR Congo has been found guilty so they should pay for it. If it were Nigeria that's on the other side and they won with an ineligible e, same thing will be applied to them, emotions aside. I just wonder if they didn't review their team sheet to see that an ineligible player is on it and again, even the player himself, he didn't know he was ineligible to play? Some mistakes shouldn't even happen but if cause it happened and the rule has to be applied that's why there are rules for these kind of things.