Former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Association, Sani Toro, has expressed doubts over Nigeria’s chances of securing a World Cup ticket following the country’s decision to file a protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo over the alleged use of ineligible players.
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Speaking on the issue, Toro described the situation as delicate and uncertain, stressing that the outcome now lies entirely in the hands of FIFA.
“It will be interesting to see how FIFA handles this matter,” Toro said. “These players were initially cleared to play, so FIFA will also need to explain how that clearance was granted in the first place.”
The former administrator warned that relying on petitions rather than on-field performance could be risky, noting that disciplinary decisions at the global level are often complex and unpredictable.
“Once it gets to this stage, there are no guarantees. FIFA will review everything, and the final verdict may not necessarily favour Nigeria,” he added.
Toro concluded by urging Nigerians to remain patient and realistic, emphasizing that while the protest is within the country’s rights, qualification should ideally be secured on the pitch rather than through post-match disputes.
