The national football team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has excluded two players who were at the centre of a dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation from its squad for the upcoming play-off matches.

The decision comes amid an ongoing eligibility controversy involving the players, who are believed to have previously been linked with Nigeria’s national teams before committing to represent DR Congo at the senior international level.

According to reports from Congolese football authorities, the players were omitted from the squad list submitted for the decisive play-off fixtures in order to avoid further complications while the dispute is being reviewed by football governing bodies.

The situation began after the Nigeria Football Federation raised concerns over the players’ eligibility, arguing that they had earlier been involved in Nigeria’s youth national team setup and may not have completed the necessary procedures required to switch national allegiance.

Under the regulations of FIFA, players who have represented a country at youth level may still switch to another national team if they meet specific conditions and formally apply for a one-time change of association.

However, football officials in Nigeria reportedly questioned whether the proper documentation and approval processes were followed before the players featured for DR Congo.

To prevent potential sanctions or complications during the play-offs, DR Congo’s football authorities opted to leave the players out of the squad until the issue is fully clarified.

The move is expected to temporarily ease tensions between both football federations as discussions continue over the players’ international status.

Despite the absence of the disputed players, DR Congo officials have expressed confidence in the remaining squad, stating that the team still possesses enough quality and depth to compete strongly in the play-off matches.

The upcoming fixtures are crucial for DR Congo as they seek to secure qualification for the next phase of international competition.

Football analysts say the decision to drop the players reflects a cautious approach by the Congolese federation, which aims to avoid administrative disputes overshadowing the team’s performance on the pitch.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest development, but sources within the federation say the matter may eventually be resolved through FIFA’s eligibility review process if both countries fail to reach a mutual understanding.