Ilunga Fires Back at Nigeria’s FIFA Petition: “Win on the Pitch, Not in Court”  

DR Congo’s Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, has issued a bold and unapologetic response to Nigeria’s petition to FIFA over the alleged fielding of ineligible players by the Leopards in the CAF World Cup qualifiers.

Reacting to the complaint, Ilunga dismissed the move as a distraction, stressing that FIFA operates on sporting nationality rather than legal nationality.

“FIFA does not reason in terms of legal nationality but rather in terms of sporting nationality. If that is the case, I advise you, dear Naija brothers, to focus more on the AFCON,” Ilunga said, adding a touch of sarcasm to his remarks.

The former DR Congo international went further, challenging the Super Eagles to settle matters on the pitch rather than through administrative channels.

“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence, not with lawyers’ tricks. Bring it.”