‘Win on the Pitch, Not in Court’ — DR Congo Fire Back At NFF Petition

‘Win on the Pitch, Not in Court’ — DR Congo Fire Back At NFF Petition

By BSN Sports 

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has dismissed Nigeria’s petition to FIFA challenging the eligibility of Congolese players in their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash, urging the Super Eagles to shift attention to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria, eliminated from World Cup qualification after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in November, has formally asked FIFA to review the match outcome, alleging that several Congolese players may have been ineligible to feature due to nationality issues.

Reacting to the complaint, DR Congo’s Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, rejected Nigeria’s claims, stressing that FIFA eligibility is governed by sporting nationality rather than domestic legal frameworks.

“FIFA does not operate based on legal nationality but on sporting nationality,” Ilunga said. “If that is the case, I advise my dear Naija, my BBC brothers, to focus instead on the AFCON.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) argues that DR Congo may have breached its own constitutional provisions, which prohibit dual citizenship for adults. According to the petition, some Congolese internationals allegedly retained European passports without formally renouncing previous citizenships, a requirement under Congolese law.

Players referenced in the complaint reportedly include individuals with ties to Belgium, England, France, and Switzerland, among them Mario Stroeykens, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Charles Pickel.

While FIFA regulations permit players to represent a country following a one-time switch of sporting nationality, provided all documentation is approved, the NFF contends that FIFA’s clearance may have been based on incomplete or misleading information supplied by Congolese authorities.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that the petition has been submitted and that Nigeria is awaiting FIFA’s determination.

“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship,” Sanusi said. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some others have French passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”

He acknowledged that FIFA approvals are typically based on national passports presented by the relevant football associations.

“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible,” Sanusi explained. “But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them.”

Under DR Congo’s constitution, nationality is acquired through specific state-sanctioned processes, including naturalisation, marriage, adoption or formal option, and dual citizenship is generally not recognised. Nigeria maintains that failure to comply with these provisions could invalidate sporting eligibility.

FIFA retains the authority to investigate cases involving alleged fraud or falsification of documents and may impose sanctions ranging from player bans and match forfeitures to expulsion from competitions if violations are established.

Meanwhile, DR Congo have responded defiantly to Nigeria’s petition, describing it as an attempt to qualify for the World Cup “through the back door.”

“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door,” DR Congo posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. “The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence, not with lawyers’ tricks. Bring it on!”