Kunle Adelabu
-Formally welcomes Ikorodu delegation from AFCON
The Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Benson (Ikorodu Federal Constituency), has thrown his support behind the petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which contested the eligibility of some players.
NFF is seeking the disqualification of DR Congo which eliminated the Super Eagles on penalties after a 1 – 1 draw in a World Cup play -off in Rabat, Morocco last November.
Rep. Benson said that Nigeria has a very good chance of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States (North America) between 11 June – 19 July 2026.
The ranking lawmaker said the petition which centred around eligibility of six DR Congo players has presented a basis for disqualifying the country, while formally welcoming a 4 – man team that was part of the Nigerian delegation to the just concluded AFCON in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026, at his Ikorodu Constituency Office.
Rep. Benson facilitated the participation of Omoba Peju Akinyemi, Alhaji Morufu Jokomba, Mr Bakare and Kunle Adelabu, Publisher/Reporter – in Chief, THE IMPACT, at the continental tournament which afforded THE IMPACT the opportunity to report the matches and activities at the just concluded tournament live. Our reporter was also hosted by numerous radio stations including the IKD 109.1FM as analyst on their sports programmes while in Morocco.
Rep Bens8 commended the four representatives from Ikorodu as good ambassadors.
“Thank you to our worthy ambassadors. I saw your faces on social media while you were in Morocco. I saw what you wore to beat the weather over there. Thank you.
“We are in January and we are hoping that Nigeria will qualify for the next World Cup because Nigeria has a very strong petition against the DR Congo that fielded ineligible players.
“Their players have dual citizenship. The law states that your citizenship must exclusively not be dual,” Rep. Benson said.
He enjoined journalists and Nigerians to support Nigeria’s stance which has merit.
The optimistic and soccer loving lawmaker said that FIFA is going to consider the petition on merit and that the Super Eagles will play the World Cup play – off against Jamaica in March.
He also emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s participation at the World Cup stating that being the most populous African country, the economic hub of the continent, as well as its performance at the just concluded AFCON and the interest of Nigerians to travel in large numbers when their darling team is playing as some of the factors that stand the country out.
Omoba Akinyemi speaking on behalf of the team thanked Rep. Benson for the opportunity provided for the team and his support.
He said that the journey provided the 4 -man delegation from Ikorodu the opportunity to go on vacation, enjoying sports and experiencing tourism in Morocco.
While also commending the National Sports Commission (NSC), he at the same time acknowledged the Super Eagles performance at the AFCON.
A replica of the AFCON Cup was presented to Rep Babajimi Benson, even though the country came third with a bronze medal.
Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, the Director -General, iCare Foundation, Rep. Benson’s working arm had a few days before the formal hosting by the lawmaker played host to the team at his home in Ebute where he also commended them for being good ambassadors.
Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA and Hon. Babawale Alogba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, joined Rep Benson in welcoming the AFCON delegation.
Africa will be represented at the global tournament by Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cape Verde and South Africa, which topped their qualifying groups and secured automatic places at the tournament.
Under the new 48-team format, the World Cup will feature 12 groups of four, with teams drawn from four seeded pots based on the latest FIFA rankings.
