Nigeria has ended its campaign for the 2026 World Cup following Sunday night defeat by DR Congo.

The match which was played in Morocco initially ended in a draw with both sides scoring one goal each.

In a penalty shootout that followed, DR Congo defeated Nigeria with 4 goals to 3.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to play in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The clarification ends uncertainty among Nigerian supporters after reports suggested the midfielder might miss the decisive fixture due to accumulated yellow cards.

According to an update shared on the Super Eagles’ official X page on Saturday, CAF stated that cautions picked up during the World Cup qualifying rounds do not carry over into the playoff stage. Only players with confirmed suspensions are barred from participating.

“CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s playoff clash against DR Congo. Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply,” the statement said.

Ndidi was one of Nigeria’s standout performers in Thursday’s 4–1 semifinal victory over Gabon. Captaining the team, he delivered a dominant midfield display and assisted Chidera Ejuke for Nigeria’s second goal.

The Super Eagles face DR Congo on Sunday at 8 p.m. Nigerian time in what will be a decisive encounter. The winner will secure Africa’s slot in the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As Nigeria prepares to tackle Gabon today in a crucial world cup playoff in Morocco, the National Sports Commission has said all entitlements due to the Super Eagles players and officials have been released to the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF.

The players and their handlers had boycotted training in protest against non payment of several bonuses arising from previous national engagements.

But the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olapade, has clarified that all funds allocated to the national football team have been duly remitted to NFF since he assumed office.

Olapade made this known while addressing concerns raised about the team’s unpaid allowances and logistics issues, which led to the players’ decision to suspend training.

He emphasized that the NSC does not disburse money directly to players or team officials, as all financial transactions for national football matters are handled through the NFF.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Bukola Olapade, a former Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, as the Director-General of the National Sports Commission on November 14, 2024.

“The NSC has remitted the funds to NFF as at when due since I became DG. Can’t be contradicted. NSC pays to the NFF and all expenditures for their activities is done by them. Up until yesterday, there has not been a reason to query. So wait and see. All I can say for now,” he said.

In January, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought relief and excitement to the Super Eagles camp ahead of their preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast by approving the payment of a ₦12 billion backlog owed to the team by the Federal Government.

The financial gesture, which covered outstanding match bonuses and allowances, also extended to other national teams, including the Super Falcons, Flying Eagles, and various youth and developmental squads.

The move was widely praised as a morale booster for the players and coaching staff ahead of the continental tournament.