News in Africa Online had declared before Nigeria’s last qualifying match against Algeria last month that the outcome would not make any difference. FIFA has now virtually said the same thing but in different words, and indeed, mood. Nigeria still retains its ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite FIFA’s sanctions. The world football authority had confirmed that the Super Eagles fielded Shehu Abdullahi, who was ineligible, in its last qualifying game against Algeria.
Nigeria drew 1-1 with Algeria in Constantine on the 10th of last month, but the Super Eagles featured Abdullahi, who was supposed to be serving a one-match suspension having accumulated two yellow cards.
A statement by FIFA on the anomaly reads: “The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the match between Algeria and Nigeria on November 10, 2017. The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Algeria, with the NFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000.
Following the decision, Nigeria’s total points tally reduced by just one, to 13, while Algeria moved from two to four points.
But Nigeria can claim to be unaware of the circumstances that led to the sanctions although FIFA had hinted the NFF about the disciplinary proceedings, following the use of defender Abdullahi Shehu in the said match. Shehu had received a yellow card in the match against Zambia in Uyo on October 7, 2017, making it a second for him in the qualifying race, following an earlier yellow card against Swaziland in the preliminary round. Traditionally, yellow cards issued in previous rounds of the qualifying race are cancelled, but the principle did not apply to the latest series.
Reacting to the latest development, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick directed that an internal inquiry be instituted immediately and persons found culpable be dealt with. His words, “We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria. However, this is a grave error and somebody must be punished. We apologize to Nigerians for this and assure that this will not in any way derail or even distract us in our plan to ensure that the Super Eagles have a great outing in Russia. At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist”.
The NFF boss expatiated further, “We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department. The Technical Committee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters. It is important that all committees and departments at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive Committee,” stated Pinnick.
