President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to shift their full attention to the 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, urging the team to recover quickly from Sunday’s World Cup playoff defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President said the team must now “focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations” after narrowly missing out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive cycle.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes were extinguished in Rabat after a tense match ended 1-1 in extra time, with DR Congo edging the Eagles 4-3 on penalties to move into the Inter-Confederation play-off.
Despite the disappointment, President Tinubu commended the players for their determination throughout the qualifiers, noting that they had shown resilience, particularly after winning the first leg of the playoff.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” he said.
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The President also called for a comprehensive review of the country’s football operations, urging administrators, coaches, players, and stakeholders to return to the drawing board and “plug all the loopholes” that undermined the qualification campaign.
While acknowledging the pain felt by fans nationwide, he stressed that the upcoming AFCON—scheduled for January to February 2026—provides an immediate opportunity for redemption.
“Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” President Tinubu said, rallying the team to prepare adequately and aim for a strong continental outing.
In a related development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Tinubu, the Federal Government and the Nigerian public following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement released through its Communications Department, the federation described Sunday’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Africa Play-Offs Final in Rabat as “a moment of profound sadness,” noting that the result fell far short of national expectations.
The NFF acknowledged the emotional impact of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup, stressing that in a country where football functions as a unifying force and a national symbol, the setback carries “great weight and emotional depth.”
