Nigeria challenge DR Congo over World Cup playoff breach

Nigeria have taken their World Cup qualifying fight from the pitch to the paperwork, lodging a formal protest that accuses DR Congo of fielding players who should not have featured in the playoff. The complaint was submitted this week after DR Congo’s victory in the tie, which ended Nigeria’s route forward and triggered an immediate challenge. If the claim is upheld, the outcome could be reopened — turning a settled result into an active dispute. “We believe the rules were clearly breached,” an NFF official said, adding that the protest was lodged “to protect the integrity of the competition.”

Nigeria’s head coach described the situation as “deeply frustrating,” noting that his team “earned results on the pitch and deserve fair treatment.” He stressed that the complaint is not about sour grapes but about compliance with eligibility standards.

From the DR Congo camp, officials dismissed the claims. “All our players were properly registered and cleared,” a federation spokesperson said, insisting they followed due process.

FIFA is now expected to examine the documents submitted by both sides. The case revives memories of past African qualifiers settled off the field, underlining how administrative disputes can still shape World Cup journeys as much as goals and tactics.