Nigerians have God and Allah to thank for still being in the 2018 World Cup after FIFA sanctioned and docked points from FIFA world cup qualifiers and awarded same to Algeria following Nigeria National Team fielding a suspended player.

FIFA had fined NFF for fielding Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria after he was suspended for a match earlier. FIFA also awarded a 3-0 victory to Algeria, which however did not affect Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup because they had qualified already before the said match.

NFF’s Reactions to the sanction:

“NFF President has directed that an internal inquiry be instituted immediately & persons found culpable be dealt with. “We accept the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary C’ttee to fine the NFF and award the match to Algeria.

“At the same time, I want to assure that persons responsible for this slip would not be given just a slap on the wrist. We are actually looking at a re-organization of the Technical Department.

“The Technical C’ttee will henceforth play serious superintending role on all details, no matter how minute, in technical matters. “It is important that all committees and depts at the NFF should move at the same pace as the Executive C’ttee,” said Pinnick