Football fans on social media have ridiculed Nigeria following a petition by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) seeking the disqualification of the Democratic Republic of Congo from the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff over alleged player‑eligibility issues.
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) is repeatedly investigating DR Congo regarding player eligibility during the World Cup qualifiers.
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DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties to qualify for the Intercontinental playoff as Africa’s representative. In a latest development, Nigerian outlet Arise News reported that FIFA is probing DR Congo for allegedly fielding ineligible players during the playoffs.
Reports indicate that about nine DR Congo players switched nationalities without fully completing the required legal and administrative procedures, although FIFA has yet to issue an official response.
The news has been mocked by football fans who believe the Super Eagles are making desperate attempts to reach the Mundial.
They criticised the NFF for being overly fixated on the World Cup while failing to put in place the right structures to support the team’s qualification campaign.
Fans described Nigeria’s efforts as “rubbish” and an attempt to use the “backdoor” instead of earning qualification on the pitch, which many found amusing.
Some supporters urged Nigeria to focus on preparing adequately for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to make up for failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Read the comments below:
Nigeria wants a back door to the World Cup?
— Richy (@RichmanSekatane) December 16, 2025
They are fighting so hard for that backdoor entry
— 01010111000101 (@01010111000101O) December 16, 2025
These scammers . They couldn’t do it in the field
— MSFC💛💚🤍💙👆🏻 (@Olicity_Quee) December 16, 2025
Rubbish
— KING (@wahalaMann) December 16, 2025
Ghana would be so shocked pic.twitter.com/DnuBYP3Jsa
— SAMMY0x (winning arc)🥷♟️ (@sammy0x__) December 16, 2025
God abeg, Nigeria shouldn’t go to the World Cup. Not because I’m unpatriotic, but because we’re undeserving of it. We should stay home and tell ourselves the damn hard truth. We need a damn overhaul
— ShoutOut.Ng (@NigeriaShoutout) December 16, 2025
Lol!! Finding every means to smuggle Nigeria into the World Cup
— Cami (@cfcCami) December 15, 2025
Nothing will come out of it. The focus should be AFCON, when World Cup 2030.
— Eme (@OppNaija) December 15, 2025
Is this how you guys move to qualify even when you have shown you lack capabilities?
You can’t be searching for every team’s loopholes for you to qualify. DONT FORCE THINGS— ZA (@za_lady1) December 15, 2025
I wish they were cleared and Nigeria don’t go to world cup. We don’t deserve it
— Ayomitide (@OracleAyo) December 15, 2025
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