Former member of the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, Austel Elumelu, has strongly dismissed claims that Nigeria’s appeal against the Democratic Republic of Congo will yield any positive outcome, insisting the case is effectively dead on arrival.
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Reacting to comments from the Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General regarding an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Elumelu did not hold back in his criticism.
“It will not be entertained,” he said bluntly.
According to the legal practitioner and football administrator, Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup was decided on the pitch — not in the courtroom.
“We failed on the pitch,” he stressed.
Elumelu argued that attempting to overturn results through legal means sends the wrong message and distracts from the real issues affecting Nigerian football.
“This is not the way,” he implied.
For him, the focus should be on addressing structural and performance-related shortcomings rather than pursuing what he described as unrealistic legal options.
“We are clutching at straws,” he noted.
His comments add to the growing divide among stakeholders regarding the NFF’s decision to pursue the case, with some supporting the move while others question its relevance and likelihood of success.
Elumelu believes that energy and resources would be better spent on rebuilding the team and preparing for future competitions.
“We should move forward,” he emphasized.
As the debate continues, the situation highlights broader concerns about decision-making within Nigerian football.
For many, the issue is no longer just about qualification, but about direction.
Because in football, results are earned where it matters most.
On the pitch.
And as Elumelu insists, that is where Nigeria must improve.
