Lost Battle : Former Secretary General Says NFF Appeal Will Not Overturn FIFA Decision

Lost Battle : Former Secretary General Says NFF Appeal Will Not Overturn FIFA Decision

By Niyi Busari 

A former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ahmed Sani Toro, has urged the Federal Government to halt the federation’s planned appeal against FIFA over its dismissed petition on player eligibility involving the Democratic Republic of the Congo, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Toro criticised the move as futile, arguing that pursuing an appeal would yield no positive outcome for Nigeria.

The controversy stems from the final of the CAF World Cup playoff, where DR Congo defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time in Morocco. Following the match, the NFF filed a complaint alleging that DR Congo fielded players whose citizenship status had not been properly regularised, claiming that FIFA had been misled during the registration process.

Although FIFA did not immediately issue a detailed public response to the petition, the governing body subsequently confirmed DR Congo as Africa’s representative for the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico, effectively dismissing Nigeria’s claims.

On Tuesday, the NFF announced that it had rejected FIFA’s decision and would proceed with an appeal, expressing confidence in a favourable outcome.

However, Toro dismissed that optimism, warning that the appeal lacks merit.

“The NFF should stop playing on our intelligence,” he told BSN Sports.

Drawing parallels with past incidents, Toro referenced the 1996 eligibility controversy involving Nigerian goalkeeper Abiodun Baruwa ahead of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. At the time, Zimbabwe had challenged Baruwa’s eligibility over alleged age falsification, but FIFA ruled in Nigeria’s favour after the Federal Government backed the player and the federation.

Toro argued that the DR Congo case differs significantly, noting that citizenship determination lies with national governments rather than football authorities.

“In this case, it is the government of a country that determines who is a citizen, not FIFA or any other body,” he said.

He further advised the Nigerian government to intervene and stop the appeal process, particularly given the proximity of the upcoming playoff.

“It is a waste of time and energy. You cannot expect FIFA to admit it made a mistake in clearing those players in the first place,” Toro added. “There is no way Nigeria can get a favourable verdict. From the outset, it has been a lost battle.” He concluded.

Toro served as Secretary-General of the NFF—then known as the Nigeria Football Association—between 1993 and 1999 and remains a prominent figure in Nigerian football administration.