FIFA hammer looms as DR Congo face allegations of fielding ineligible players against Nigeria

By Ade Ade

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) could be facing serious sanctions from FIFA following allegations that the country fielded ineligible players in their World Cup playoff match against Nigeria in November, a former Super Eagles official has claimed.

In a latest report, former chief scout of Nigeria’s Super Eagles during Gernot Rohr’s tenure said the issue is clear-cut under FIFA regulations.

He stressed that players must be legally eligible citizens of a country before representing it at international level.

“This is a straightforward case if you ask me because you have to first and foremost be a bonafide citizen of a country before you are eligible to play for a country according to FIFA,” he said. “It’s clear that you must meet all the national laws for that to happen.”

He explained that FIFA eligibility rules are closely tied to a country’s nationality laws, noting that failure to comply could attract disciplinary measures.

Drawing from past experiences with the Nigerian national team, the former scout recalled how strict nationality laws had previously cost Nigeria the services of promising players.

“I remember when we had Kingsley Ehizubue and Tobias Lawal with the Super Eagles,” he said. “Ehizubue, based on his citizen status in the Netherlands, isn’t eligible to get another nationality. So that was how he was not able to play for us after getting an invitation.”

He also recounted the case of goalkeeper Tobias Lawal, who was invited for a friendly match but could not switch allegiance due to Austria’s nationality laws.

“While with us, he wanted to get a Nigerian passport and was told that Austrian laws don’t permit dual nationality,” he added. “We lost out on a promising goalkeeper because of that, and he is now a full-fledged international for Austria. So rules are rules.”

The comments have heightened speculation that FIFA could investigate DR Congo’s squad selection from the playoff fixture, a development that may have significant implications for the qualification process if the allegations are upheld.