NFF to appeal FIFA’s rejection of its petition against DR Congo

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Weeks after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF raised the hopes of Nigeria fans that their petition against DR Congo over the fielding of ineligible players in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco on 16th November 2025 has a bright prospect, they have reluctantly disclosed that the petition has been rejected.
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‎They are however, not accepting the verdict as the General Secretary ,Dr.Mohammes Sanusi Tuesday stated that the Federation has already commenced the process of appealing the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
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‎“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
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‎The NFF had presented a petition to world football-governing body, FIFA days after the said match, based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Play-offs.
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‎The match, played at the Crown Princ Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, was the Final of the African Play-offs. The Democratic Republic of Congo won in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both teams were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time.