Popular Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun, widely known as AY, has expressed strong disappointment following the Super Eagles' painful defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs.
Super Eagles' World Cup Dream Ends
The Nigerian national football team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shootout loss to the Leopards of DR Congo in the playoff final on Sunday, November 16, 2025. This defeat means Nigeria will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive tournament, dealing a significant blow to football fans across the nation.
AY shared his reaction through a viral video that quickly spread across social media platforms. The comedian did not hold back his feelings about the team's performance, repeatedly describing it as 'a shame, big shame' to the Super Eagles.
AY's Criticism of Team Performance
In his emotional response, AY specifically highlighted the crucial role of striker Victor Osimhen in the team's structure. He pointed out that after Osimhen was substituted due to injury in the 46th minute, the Nigerian squad appeared to lose focus and direction.
'What you people have proven to us is that without Victor Osimhen, no Super Eagles,' AY stated emphatically in the video. He further noted that even with the referee apparently trying to help the Nigerian team, they still failed to secure victory.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans
The comedian's comments sparked widespread reactions online, with fans expressing diverse opinions about the team's performance and AY's assessment.
One user, iykedave11, countered AY's perspective by noting: 'Abeg Oshimen was there when we lost and drew in the main qualifiers.'
Another commenter, designmediax, suggested a more fundamental problem: 'Las Las our players no good. Apart from oshimen which of these players fit dey starting 11 for 1994 squad or 1998.'
Some fans acknowledged the team's effort while criticizing the overall administration. User realestfreddy commented: 'Abeg the boys try small and he pain everybody but the problem is also from the administration heading our country sports teams.'
Despite the disappointing result, AY revealed that he still plans to attend the 2026 World Cup tournament scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The defeat has left Nigerian football enthusiasts analyzing what went wrong and contemplating the future of the national team as they face another four-year wait for another World Cup qualification opportunity.
