NFF’s World Cup Drama: Petition against DR Congo called a ‘sham’

Prince Harrison Jalla, Chairman of Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of submitting a “fraudulent petition” against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

In a press statement, Jalla claimed that the NFF “created a fake petition” alleging that some DR Congo players held dual citizenship.

He said the petition was submitted to FIFA as a way to divert attention from what he described as the NFF’s “administrative lapses, gross incompetence, and corruption.”

According to Jalla, the petition was intentionally filed late, sent to the wrong email address, and submitted without paying the required protest fees.

He argued that these actions clearly showed the petition was not meant to be taken seriously but rather to mislead the public and the authorities.

Jalla questioned the whereabouts of the petition, whether FIFA responded, and if there was any attempt to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). He noted that DR Congo has since qualified for the World Cup, making the petition appear irrelevant.

The statement also criticized the lack of accountability within Nigerian sports administration. Jalla emphasized that “not a single member of the National

Assembly or the one-member Congress raised concerns about this shameless action,” suggesting that the NFF continues to operate without proper oversight or scrutiny.

He concluded by challenging the NFF’s continued hold on power and called for urgent reforms in Nigerian football to restore transparency, integrity, and proper governance.

Jalla’s comments have reignited public debate about leadership, accountability, and the future direction of football in Nigeria.