African football expert Mamadou Gaye has urged patience as Nigeria await a ruling from football's governing body Fifa following defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoff final of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to the Leopards but subsequently lodged a formal complaint with Fifa, alleging that DR Congo fielded several ineligible dual-national players, including Manchester United alums Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
With just under three weeks remaining before the international match window opens, Fifa has yet to deliver a ruling on the matter, leaving supporters, players and the Nigeria Football Federation in a state of uncertainty.
Nigeria hope a favourable ruling could revive their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Mamadou Gaye highlighted that South Africa's Bafana Bafana were deducted three points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after Fifa ruled that they had fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, with the verdict confirmed just days before the final Group C matches.
Speaking on SuperSport's Soccer Africa, Gaye stated: “Let's wait for Fifa to decide. You remember the points deducted from Bafana Bafana was at the eleventh hour."
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation have confirmed friendly matches against World Cup-bound Asian sides Iran and Jordan next month, coinciding with the dates set for the intercontinental playoff.
Gaye emphasised that Nigeria's appeal must run its course and stressed that any party can still take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"Nigeria can line up three national teams, what is the problem? All of them are big names playing in Europe.
"Fifa are still considering the appeal. Everybody is waiting for the final whistle of Fifa. If you are not happy with Fifa, you go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
Subject to Fifa's final ruling, DR Congo are scheduled to face the winner of the playoff between New Caledonia and Jamaica, with a World Cup berth at stake.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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