FIFA Dismisses Nigeria's Complaint Over Mpasi's Ineligibility

In a World Cup playoff final held in Rabat, Nigeria faced Congo, where goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi saved two penalties, leading to Nigeria's elimination from the World Cup for a second consecutive time. Following the match, Nigeria filed a complaint in December regarding Mpasi's eligibility, as FIFA later concluded he had not completed the necessary paperwork to switch his international affiliation.

FIFA's internal review considered four actions but ultimately dismissed Nigeria's complaint on procedural grounds, stating it was filed late. Ibrahim Musa Gusau, then head of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was informed only of the dismissal and not of the eligibility issue.

This lack of communication meant Nigeria learned about the breach from a newspaper ten months later. FIFA had previously sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, raising questions about the inconsistency in FIFA's enforcement of its rules.