Nigeria Still Has Strong Chance Of World Cup Playoff Spot Despite DR Congo Listing - NSC Chairman

Nigeria Still Has Strong Chance Of World Cup Playoff Spot Despite DR Congo Listing - NSC Chairman 

By Niyi Busari 

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has clarified why the DR Congo national football team was included in the lineup for the upcoming playoff round despite Nigeria’s ongoing protest over the qualification process, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Dikko made the clarification on Friday in Abuja while speaking on the sidelines of a football tournament organised by the FAME Foundation to mark International Women’s Day.

According to him, the listing of DR Congo among the playoff teams by FIFA does not mean that a final decision has been reached regarding Nigeria’s complaint.

He explained that the matter remains under review within FIFA’s legal framework, where all parties are presumed innocent until a ruling is delivered.

“If you go to a court of law, they say you are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. All the processes are ongoing, and the judge has not made a decision yet,” Dikko said.

He added that the dispute has been referred to an independent adjudicating body within FIFA’s structure, which will determine whether the protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation has merit.

While DR Congo has been listed among the teams expected to compete in the playoff round, Dikko noted that the final composition of the fixtures will ultimately depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.

He further explained that such cases are not handled directly by FIFA’s administrative office but by independent committees responsible for disciplinary and eligibility matters.

“It is not FIFA’s duty directly. They have independent bodies that deal with these issues, and we must wait for the final pronouncement,” he said.

Dikko also revealed that Nigeria has already filed its complaint and believes it has a strong case, but stressed that the outcome will be determined by the adjudicating panel.

He added that until a final decision is reached, football authorities and the teams involved must continue with their preparations for the playoff tournament while awaiting the verdict.