News
World Cup: NFF says we’re still hopeful, no word from FIFA yet
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still open, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said, rejecting claims that the country has already been eliminated from the race.
The federation explained that it has not received any official message from FIFA concerning the dispute over the eligibility of some players who featured for the DR Congo national team.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Director of Communications of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, said the reports circulating online were based on an old FIFA publication and not a new decision regarding Nigeria’s complaint.
The NFF have not received any formal communication from FIFA whatsoever. No information can be shared with journalists without first coming to the federations involved,” Olajire said.
He added that the federation is still waiting for FIFA’s response on the matter.
“Yes, our wait is ongoing. We are still expecting formal communication from FIFA. Let those posting the old quotes continue posting them.”
Earlier reports had claimed that DR Congo had already secured Africa’s place in the inter-confederation play-offs, which would mean Nigeria no longer had a chance to qualify.
Those claims were based on a FIFA statement that read: “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
However, that statement was originally released on November 18, 2025, before Nigeria submitted its protest. It referred to the teams that had qualified at that time and did not address Nigeria’s complaint about the match.
The dispute began in November 2025 after DR Congo defeated Nigeria in the CAF play-off final. The match ended 1–1 before DR Congo won through a penalty shootout, earning Africa’s place in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria later filed a formal protest in December, claiming that DR Congo used players who were not eligible to represent the country. Among the players mentioned were Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom previously represented England at youth level.
At the time, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi explained why the federation raised the complaint.
“The Congolese rule says you cannot have dual nationality, but some of their players have European and French passports. Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi said.
The Congolese Football Federation has denied the accusation. It described Nigeria’s protest as an attempt to “win via the back door.”
FIFA has confirmed that it received the complaint and that the matter is being examined. However, the football governing body has not announced when a final decision will be made.
The delay has increased tension as the inter-confederation play-offs approach. The competition will take place from March 26 to 31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico. DR Congo are currently expected to face either Jamaica or New Caledonia.
Nigeria are hoping to avoid missing two consecutive World Cups after failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The current Super Eagles squad includes notable players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi.
African football analyst Mamadou Gaye advised fans to remain calm while waiting for FIFA’s verdict.
“We should wait for FIFA to make the decision. Remember that Bafana Bafana had points taken away right at the last minute. Nigeria should remain calm and prepared,” he said on Soccer Africa.
The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has taken delivery of five new helicopters as the Federal Government steps up efforts to modernise the country’s airpower capabilities and strengthen military operations against security threats.
The platforms comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, the NAF said the three AW-109s, which are part of 10 recently acquired by the Federal Government, were received in Lagos on September 15, 2026, while the remaining seven are expected to be delivered before the end of the year. The two H-125 helicopters had been delivered earlier.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the new helicopters would increase aircraft availability and improve the NAF’s ability to support ongoing military operations.
“The arrival of these five helicopters provides greater flexibility in the employment of airpower in support of ground troops in ongoing operations,” Aneke said.
He said the AW-109 Trekker B helicopters would enhance the NAF’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort, combat search and rescue, and other joint operations.
Aneke added that the H-125 helicopters would provide light helicopter support for various operational requirements.
The new platforms are undergoing post-delivery assembly and technical and crew-readiness processes ahead of their induction and operationalisation.
Aneke said the increased rotary-wing capacity would strengthen support for joint forces conducting operations against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
He said the NAF would also prioritise maintenance and logistics support to ensure the new aircraft remain available for operations.
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, declaring that there will be “no vacancy” in the Presidential Villa, Abuja for the next four or five years.
Oba Akiolu gave the support when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council on a courtesy visit to his palace in Lagos on Monday.
The monarch urged politicians to approach the 2027 General Elections with responsibility and ensure that the electoral process is peaceful and serves the interests of Nigerians.
Oba Akiolu cautioned members of the campaign council against actions capable of undermining the peace and stability of the country, even as he urged them to uphold honesty and shun the Machiavellian principle that the end justifies the means.
Speaking, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Yari, said the delegation was in Lagos to seek the monarch’s blessings, prayers and counsel as the council begins its nationwide campaign activities ahead of the 2027 polls.
Yari said the APC believed President Tinubu deserved a second term to consolidate his administration’s efforts in the areas of the economy, security and infrastructure.
The Campaign D-G, while acknowledging the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, appealed for continued support for the president, saying APC leaders from the North would work to secure strong backing for Tinubu’s re-election across the region.
Receiving the delegation, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the visit as significant, noting that the council had made the Oba’s palace one of its early stops following its engagement with the Sokoto Caliphate.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the visit underscored Lagos’ strategic importance to Nigeria’s political process, describing the state as the country’s commercial and economic nerve centre as well as a major political hub.
The visit was attended by Lagos APC leaders, local government chairmen, members of the National Assembly, state lawmakers and other party stakeholders.
Former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Alhaji Mohammed Mani, has been endorsed as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Niger state
Alhaji Mani replaces Abubakar Sulaiman, who was elected at the PDP primary last May.
Sulaiman voluntarily withdrawn from the position in the interest of the peace unity and progress of the party.
The endorsement of the former FIRS boss for the governorship contest was made by PDP stakeholders from across the state at the state party secretariat.
Addressing the stakeholders, Alhaji Mani promised to deliver the state to the PDP in next year’s election and solicited the support of party faithful for the realisation of the objective.
The new PDP candidate had earlier contested for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress(APC) which Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago got by “ consensus.”
He was among the APC aspirants who lost in the primary election and recently defected to the PDP.
BBNaija S11: Barry secures finalist spot after winning HoH
Court remands three ADC members over alleged cultism in Rivers
NAF receives five new helicopters to boost air operations
-
News18 hours agoKaru Residents Hail Tinubu, Wike As Road Project Ends Years Of Traffic, Flooding Woes(Photos)
-
News19 hours agoWike’s Rainbow Coalition Will Deliver Tinubu in 2027 — Nwuche Assures
-
News14 hours agoAbuja Residents Caught on camera Chasing APC Campaign Bus, Scrambling For Foodstuffs Ahead Of 2027 Elections
-
Entertainment24 hours agoI Know I’ll Win — Carter Efe Challenges Wizkid To $1m Boxing Bout
-
Metro24 hours agoPolice Clarify Asaba Airport Scare, Say No Terrorist Attack Occurred
-
News14 hours ago2027: My support only for President Tinubu, I didn’t promise PDP won’t field candidates in other elections – Wike