FIFA Fines Nigeria, DR Congo Over World Cup Play-off Misconduct

By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther

FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and Fédération Congolaise de Football Association over disciplinary breaches during their disputed 2026 World Cup African qualifying play-off in Morocco.

Nigeria was fined 1,000 Swiss francs for object-throwing by spectators, while DR Congo received a heavier 5,000 Swiss francs penalty after supporters were caught using laser pointers during the match violations of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The fines, however, are secondary to a far bigger dispute. Nigeria filed a formal complaint with FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the play-off, with several overseas-born players reportedly granted nationality clearance just days before the match. FIFA is yet to rule on the matter.

DR Congo, who face the New Caledonia on March 31 for a World Cup spot, have since dropped two of the named players , Mario Stroeykens and Michel-Ange Balikwisha from their squad.

Comments

LASUSTECH Emerges Winner at CIIN NextGen Insurers Knowledge Challenge

By Momoh Oluwateniola Students of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) have emerged winners of the 2025/2026 NextGen Insurers Knowledge Challenge after scoring 14 points to beat students from University of Lagos with 12 points and Lagos State University with 10 points. The competition, organized by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, was held on Thursday at the 700-Seater Auditorium, College of Applied Social Sciences (CASS), LASUSTECH, Ikorodu. UNILAG scored 12 points to come second, while LASU also participated. The quiz tested students’ knowledge of NIIRA 2025 and basic insurance ideas. Speaking at the event, CIIN officials said the aim was to help students understand insurance better and prepare for future careers. Guest speakers, including Seun Oyelere and Rilwan Sunmonu, encouraged students, while Banjo Kudirat Adeola advised them to stay focused on their studies. The Registrar/CEO of CIIN, Abimbola Tiamiyu, said the instit...

The Tomorrow trap: why we procrastinate and how to break free

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor It’s 11 p.m. in Lagos, and that major project due at 9 a.m. is staring back at you from your laptop screen. Yet somehow, the work hasn’t started. Instead, you’re rearranging your playlist to create the “perfect” study vibe, finally replying to that group chat message from last week, or falling down an unexpected rabbit hole about why ancient Roman aqueducts were such a brilliant engineering feat. The minutes slip by. The clock seems to tick louder. A quiet sense of guilt begins to creep in, but the scrolling continues. For many university students, this cycle is all too familiar , an endless tug-of-war between looming deadlines and the irresistible distractions of the digital world. You're not lazy. You're human. Procrastination isn't a willpower deficit or a time-management glitch, it's an emotional rescue mission gone sideways. Modern psychology, led by researchers like Timothy Pychyl and Fuschia Sirois, frames it clearly: procrastinati...

LASUSTECH, LIRS partners to Boost Tax Literacy Among Staff

By Okenu Favour Lagos State University of Science and Technology in collaboration with Lagos State Internal Revenue Service partners to boost tax literacy among all university staff. The event will hold at the 500 seater auditorium, Ikorodu campus on the 12th of March 2026. In a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, LASUSTECH, all staff were advised to make attendance of the programme a point of duty. "This important session will provide staff with valuable insights into the provisions of the new law and its impact on the employees of this university" he explained. Additionally, LASUSTECH partnership with officials from LIRS creates a platform where the employees can be informed on the implementation of the new tax law and how it affects them .They will ensure that adequate answers are given to any question raised during the meeting. The aim of this sensitization is to ensure full understanding of the changes and compliance ...

The Compass

Search This Blog