FIFA ruled that Nigeria’s complaint about DR Congo fielding an ineligible goalkeeper was invalid because the petition was addressed to the incorrect email and submitted past the allowed timeframe, confirming DR Congo’s 4‑3 penalty‑shootout victory in the World Cup qualifying playoff.
The two nations finished 1‑1 after extra time, and DR Congo advanced to the inter‑continental playoff after winning the shootout 4‑3. The match took place on the scheduled date, and the result stands.
According to reports, FIFA discovered that the player in question, Lionel Mpasi, had switched his footballing nationality from France to the Democratic Republic of Congo shortly before the decisive game, a change that did not meet the governing body’s eligibility criteria.
[**FIFA**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA) rejected Nigeria’s appeal on what it described as “technical grounds,” noting that the grievance was emailed to the General Secretary rather than the official legal portal. The governing body also highlighted that the submission arrived after the prescribed deadline.
A senior official from the [**National Sports Commission**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Sports_Commission_(Nigeria)) confirmed the procedural errors, adding that all formal complaints are normally routed through the General Secretary before being redirected to the appropriate department.
The source argued that the timing of the filing should not invalidate a serious allegation, but FIFA’s decision remains final, leaving Nigeria’s protest without effect.