Follow Us on Google
By Seyi Babalola
FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation due to disciplinary incidents that happened during the match, four months after the controversial 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between the national football teams of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in Morocco to go to the intercontinental play-offs.
According to FIFA’s most recent disciplinary summary for World Cup qualifiers, both the NFF and the Congolese FA were found guilty of various offences during the match on November 16, 2025.
FIFA said that Nigeria was penalised for a breach relating to order and security at matches, specifically involving the throwing of objects by spectators under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the NFF was consequently fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
On their part, the DR Congo federation received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match. The act contravenes Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, leading FIFA to impose a 5,000 Swiss francs fine on the Congolese body.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle also accused DR Congo officials of using voodoo in the wake of the defeat.
Other News
Meanwhile, the sanctions further heighten expectations about the anticipated verdict of the world’s football governing body over the NFF’s protest against the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the African play-off, particularly in the final.
Nigeria lodged the complaint after losing the African play-off, arguing that the Congolese federation misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.
The petition, submitted on December 15, 2025, asked FIFA to investigate the matter and potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.
The Nigerian federation’s document listed numerous foreign-born players who featured against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
In the complaint, released publicly by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria argued that several players obtained clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture.
While DR Congo prepares for the World Cup play-offs, where they will face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31, they have also dropped two disputed players from their 26-man squad: Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
