Onazi: NFF’s World Cup Petition Against DRC Is ‘Story for the Gods’
Former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has dismissed the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo as baseless, describing it as ‘story for the gods.’
Nigeria missed out on automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing the CAF Playoff final to DR Congo in Morocco last November.
In the aftermath, the NFF lodged a complaint with FIFA, alleging that Congo fielded players who had not renounced foreign passports or met the requirementsfor citizenship in the Central African nation.
NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi recently insisted that Nigeria has a strong case and is awaiting FIFA’s verdict, with hopes of being reinstated ahead of next month’s inter-confederation playoffs where six teams will battle for two slots at the expanded 48-team finals.
Onazi, however, believes the federation is misleading fans.
Speaking on Brila FM’s No Holds Barred programme, he said: ‘That is what they call false hope. They should forget the World Cup ticket. This one is story for the gods. They should give us some peace. If it were you, how would you feel qualifying for the World Cup this way?’
The Congolese FA has firmly denied any wrongdoing in its defence before FIFA, leaving Nigeria’s hopes hanging on the outcome of the case.
