The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has submitted an official protest to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), seeking a replay of its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was marred by a controversial refereeing decision that disallowed a late Nigerian goal.
According to verified reports, the NFF's protest centers on a specific incident in the 85th minute where a goal by a Nigerian striker was ruled out for offside. The federation has provided video evidence arguing the decision was incorrect. FIFA's disciplinary committee is now reviewing the submission.
This appeal follows similar high-profile protests in African football, including recent cases involving Senegal and Morocco. The outcome of Nigeria's request could have significant implications for the Group B standings, where both teams are competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
A decision from FIFA is expected in the coming weeks. If the replay is granted, it would be a rare occurrence in international football, though FIFA statutes allow for such measures in cases of "obvious referee errors."
