Why Nigeria Fans Want NFF's Complaint Against Congo to Fail

Okay, here is my take on this matter.

The Super Eagles were clearly outclassed by the Congolese players in the World Cup qualification playoff.

This came about because of the (high) quality of players paraded by Congo on the day.

(Some of) These supremely talented players qualified to play for Congo by obtaining Congolese passports.

Now, according to the Congolese constitution (as it currently stands), these players should have renounced their initial citizenship to qualify for Congolese citizenship.

Now, if it can be proven that those Congolese players, who were excellent against Nigeria, who used their superior skills to suppress Nigeria to submission, never renounced their European citizenships before obtaining Congolese passports, then there is a domino effect of fraud.

The domino: Congolese constitutional law was violated, and this violation invalidates the Congolese passports submitted to FIFA to clear said players to play against Nigeria.

Nigeria are ultimately crying foul play, arguing that, had legally sound Congolese players featured against the Super Eagles on the night, Nigeria would have prevailed.

Now, this is just my theory. I might be wrong.

But, if true, even some die-hard Nigeria fans are disappointed in the NFF for shamelessly pursuing this matter. These fans claim that the Super Eagles would never have been in the situation if the NFF had put its house in order.

Nigeria, Nigeria fans argue, get what they deserve by being booted out of the qualification by Congo. Football, they say, should be decided on the pitch, and not in the courtroom.

NFF claim that, had Congo fielded legitimate players on the pitch, Nigeria would indeed have settled the matter on the pitch, in effect saying that Congo cheated, and it is Congo who didn't act in the spirit of fair play.

I see where both sides are coming from. Should FIFA uphold Nigeria's complaint and Nigeria ultimately qualifies for this World Cup, for me, it will be a World Cup qualification wrapped in the wrapper of shame and disgrace.

Even with the calibre of players paraded by Congo on the day, a well-prepared, well-groomed and well-drilled Super Eagles outfit should have been able to, at the very least, nick a slim victory.

Eric Chelle, a coach I have huge admiration for, is really not up to the level required to coach the Super Eagles.

 Yet, the Football Authorities are allegedly owing him months' worth of wages. Is this where you want a credible coach to work? Even the players had to demonstrate before the encounter, and Iwobi filmed the pit latrine disguised as a hotel they were lodged for this encounter.

Rather than pursue this matter, NFF officials should pursue integrity, probity, virtue and uprightness for, by only focusing on the right things will they earn the right rewards for a team that was once the beacon of greatness in global football.