Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) director of football Herita Ilunga has reacted to Nigeria’s petition to FIFA over players’ eligibility. Ilunga wrote a short note on his X page, in response to a tweet claiming that Nigeria had indeed submitted an official protest letter to FIFA.
He wrote:: FIFA doesn’t reason in terms of legal nationality but in terms of sporting nationality. If that’s true, I advise you, dear Nija brothers, to focus instead on the CAN (Translated from French)
La FIFA raisonne pas en terme de nationalité juridique mais en nationalité sportive. Si c’est vrai, je vous conseille chers frères Nijas de vous concentrer plutôt sur la CAN 😎 https://t.co/9NmPUj2EGL
— Herita ILUNGA (@Herita23) December 16, 2025
Ilunga’s post drew reactions, many of which slammed Nigeria for the unnecessary charade when there are other important things to do.
@Mansour_Loum wrote: “A complaint filed with FIFA against a FIFA decision, which FIFA upheld. What a waste of time, energy, and money, and what a way to give people false hope. This complaint will end up in the bin.”
@_plamz wrote: “DR Congo has been fielding international players since God knows when from Wissa to Bolasie etc. all born abroad, never renounced their citizenships. But it’s today Nigeria wants to teach us how it works to register our own players? Using our nationality laws?”
@jessangeeell wrote: “After the voodoo affair, now these whiners are bringing up dual nationality, they should wait until we qualify for the World Cup.”
The world football governing body is expected to deliver a verdict on the case before the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico in March 2026.