The Super Eagles of Nigeria could make the 2017 African Cup of Nations as FIFA have issued an official warning to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) over government intervention in football affairs.
The Super Eagles recorded a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Egypt in Kaduna on Friday, March 25, and lost 0-1 in the second.
The loss with the withdrawal of Chad from the qualifiers meant that Nigeria are out of the race to qualify for the 2017 AFCON.
It could all change as FIFA have sent out a warning
to Egypt in the light of the country’s Supreme Administrative Court
ruling to dissolve the EFA board over election irregularities.
FIFA rules prohibit any government intervention, as
articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA statutes oblige member associations to
manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third
parties.
According to the letter, the EFA may face suspension
in case the court decision was implemented. The EFA had already
challenged the ruling and the court has set May 7 as a date for ruling
in the case.
“The court decision, if implemented, would most
likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the
EFA and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for
consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the EFA,” the letter read.
Candidates for the EFA 2012 elections Magda El Helbawi and Hermas Radwan had dragged the EFA board to court over allegations of vote rigging during the elections.
The court accepted the lawsuit in March and the verdict obligated minister of youth and sports Khaled Abdel-Aziz to dissolve the EFA board headed by Gamal Allam.
If Egypt is banned by FIFA, Nigeria has a chance to qualify for the 2017 AFCON by finishing second in