After four months of back and forth over the FIFA World Cup African play-off final, FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The governing body also sanctioned the DR Congo Football Federation over the disciplinary incidents that occurred during the match.
Recall that DR Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
According to an official disciplinary overview released, it was gathered that FIFA sanctioned Nigeria for breaches related to order and security during the high-stakes encounter.
The governing body confirmed that the sanctions were due to incidents involving the “throwing of objects” by spectators, which contravenes Article 17 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
FIFA stated that Nigeria was sanctioned under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the NFF was consequently fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
Aside from that, FIFA also announced that 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 fine of 5,000 Swiss francs on the Congolese body.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle also accused DR Congo officials of using voodoo in the wake of the defeat.
Meanwhile, the sanctions further heighten expectations about the 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.
Recall also that the NFF had filed a 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, requested that FIFA investigate the matter and potentially disqualify the 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 are preparing for the World Cup play-offs, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a place at the World Cup, they have also dropped two of the disputed players — Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens — from their 26-man squad.
