Former Nigeria international Duke Udi has stated that the DR Congo national team fully deserve their place in the inter-confederation playoffs following the rejection of Nigeria’s petition.
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Reacting to the decision by FIFA, Udi insisted that Nigeria should not be seeking qualification through administrative means.
“DR Congo earned their place,” Udi said.
The former midfielder emphasized that a country of Nigeria’s stature should always aim to qualify for major tournaments through performances on the pitch.
“Nigeria is too big to go to the World Cup through the back door,” he added.
Udi urged the Nigeria Football Federation to shift focus away from appeals and concentrate on building a stronger team for future qualification campaigns.
According to him, the current situation should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian football authorities.
“We need to focus on the next qualification,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of proper planning, preparation, and consistency, noting that failure to secure qualification on the field should be addressed rather than contested off it.
Udi concluded by calling on stakeholders to channel their energy into long-term development and ensuring that the Super Eagles return stronger in future competitions, rather than relying on legal battles to achieve success.
