Algerian Federation Vow To Punish Staff Who Failed To Spot Nigeria's Error

Algerian Football Federation Vice President, Bachir Ould Zmirli, says it came as a surprise that the Desert Foxes were awarded a 3-0 win and three points after Fifa took the decison to sanction Nigeria for fielding an ineligible player on the final day of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Just like his Nigerian counterpart Amaju Pinnick, Zmirli has admitted that he was unaware Nigeria committed an offense until Fifa's announcement and vowed to punish the erring Federation officials.

''I have just learned that FIFA has awarded us the points of the match in Nigeria, without any reservations,''  Zmirli, who is the chairman of the National Teams Committee, was quoted as saying by Le Buteur.

''That means that we have not been aware of the offense and that is serious, even if there is no issue since we are eliminated. It's simply mismanagement.

''It is very serious that there is this kind of error. We must punish the perpetrators of this fault and take the necessary measures''.

Even with three points awarded to the Algerian team, they still finished last in Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (CAF Third Round) with four points, nine less than the Super Eagles.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel