Former Nigeria international Moses Kpakor in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa has backed the Nigeria Football Federation’s move to appeal after FIFA dismissed the country’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Tuesday, the NFF confirmed that its case had hit a dead end at the continental level, but the federation is now preparing to challenge the decision at CAS, insisting there are still grounds to pursue the matter further.
Reacting to the development, Kpakor who represented Nigeria at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations and the Seoul Olympics exclusively told Footy-Africa that the country must explore every possible avenue if there is still a chance of reaching the World Cup.
“It is a shame we failed to qualify for the World Cup and, like most Nigerians, I am deeply disappointed,” he said.
“This is the second straight tournament we have failed to qualify for, and for a country like Nigeria, that is not good for our football. I know many people will be upset with the NFF over the protest, but football is played both on and off the pitch. There is also politics in the game, so we must be able to separate the two.”
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“Yes, we can be angry about not qualifying, but if there is a loophole or our opponents broke the rules, then we should explore it. If the NFF believes it has a case and wants to challenge FIFA’s decision, then why not? However, all of this could have been avoided if we had done the job on the pitch,” he concluded.
The NFF had lodged a complaint following Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat to Democratic Republic of the Congo, alleging that the Congolese side fielded ineligible players.
The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, before the Super Eagles lost in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The decisive encounter was played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, serving as the final of the African playoffs. DR Congo eventually triumphed in sudden death penalties to secure qualification.
However, Nigeria’s protest was rejected, with football authorities ruling against the petition.
