President Bola Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their efforts in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite their heartbreaking loss to DR Congo in a playoff on Sunday.
The Super Eagles’ World Cup dream suffered a major blow at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, as DR Congo advanced to the intercontinental playoff following a dramatic penalty shootout.
The match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, sending the encounter to penalties.
Frank Onyeka gave Nigeria the lead in the third minute, but M. Elia of DR Congo tied the score in the 32nd. Both teams had opportunities during extra time, with goalie Nwabali making a vital save from a DR Congo free kick and Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare missing a header. Neither party was able to break the impasse despite the opportunities.
It turned out to be a decisive penalty shootout. Nwabali stopped DR Congo’s first penalty, while Moses Simon and Calvin Bassey of Nigeria missed early chances. Nigeria’s chances of winning the World Cup for the second time in a row were ultimately dashed as DR Congo won 4–3 on penalties.
With the win, DR Congo will have an opportunity to get one of the last spots in the expanded 48-team competition in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite the loss, Tinubu commended the team’s work in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy.
“We must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them despite the unfortunate loss,” Tinubu stated.
“We must now plug all the loopholes,” he said, urging all parties involved in Nigerian football to evaluate the team’s performance seriously. Our football players, administrators, and other stakeholders need to start over.
Tinubu emphasised the necessity of turning attention to the forthcoming African Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco from January to February of 2026.
“We should now concentrate all of our efforts on the Cup of Nations. He emphasised that lessons learnt from the World Cup qualifiers should guide preparations for the continental event, saying, “Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
Additionally, the President urged supporters and Nigerians nationwide to keep rooting for the national team.
He emphasised the players’ tenacity and commitment, pointing out that in spite of the setback, the team demonstrated these qualities in both the first playoff game and the intense shootout against DR Congo.
