A potential clash between the Super Eagles and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal has emerged from a likely successful outcome of an eligibility protest lodged by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against DR Congo, Sports247 gathered.
In the wake of confirmation by NFF’s secretary-general, Dr Mohammed Sanusi that a formal petition had been submitted to FIFA, some analysts are already looking ahead of the world body’s verdict on the matter.
With many Nigerian football fans already optimistic of a successful outcome in the boardroom, permutations are now being outlined about the Eagles’ next route to Canada/USA/Mexico 2026.
Once the NFF’s protest is upheld, the three-time African champions will meet the winner between Jamaica and New Caledonia in one of two finals at the World Cup International Play-offs billed for Mexico City in March.
Considering that both countries hardly appear like massive stumbling blocks for the Super Eagles in the annals of global football, many Nigerians are already looking forward to their darling team eventually getting a ticket to next year’s Mundial.
With the draw haven already been conducted, a cursory check reveals that picking a ticket from the intercontinental play-offs in March will automatically lead to a clash with Ronaldo’s Portugal at the first FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries.
This possibility was highlighted by The Standard newspaper, whose Nigerian-born writer, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne wrote a fearurised report about the NFF’s allegations against DR Congo and noted where a successful outcome would land the Eagles.
Deniran-Alleyne wrote in part: “If Nigeria’s appeal is successful, they will likely replace DR Congo in the play-offs, leaving them one win away from qualifying for the World Cup and joining Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.”
