President Bola Tinubu has expressed his support for the Nigerian Super Eagles following their heartbreaking elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite praising the team's determined performance against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Penalty Shootout Ends Nigeria's World Cup Dream
The Super Eagles' hopes of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dramatically ended on Sunday, November 16, following a tense playoff match in Morocco. The crucial encounter concluded with a 1-1 draw after extra time, but saw DR Congo advance after securing a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
This defeat marks the second consecutive time Nigeria has failed to qualify for the world's biggest football tournament, dealing a significant blow to the nation's football aspirations. The Democratic Republic of Congo now moves forward to the Inter-Confederation play-off, keeping their World Cup dreams alive while Nigeria faces elimination.
Presidential Commendation Amid Disappointment
In a statement released on November 17 through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information & Strategy, the Nigerian leader acknowledged the team's efforts despite the disappointing outcome. The presidential message was shared via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
President Tinubu specifically praised the Super Eagles for their spirited performance throughout the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He emphasized that the players had given their best efforts and deserved recognition for their commitment to representing Nigeria on the international stage.
Looking Ahead to African Cup of Nations
While acknowledging the pain of missing World Cup qualification, President Tinubu directed attention toward future competitions, particularly the African Cup of Nations scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
The President stated: "Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them. We must now plug all the loopholes. Our football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders must go back to the drawing board. Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory."
Tinubu urged football authorities, players, and all stakeholders to conduct a thorough analysis of their performance and develop new strategies for upcoming tournaments. He stressed that the team's resilience should be celebrated and used as motivation for future competitions.
The President's message highlighted the need for comprehensive review and preparation, calling on the Nigerian Football Federation and team management to identify areas for improvement. This development comes as Nigerian football fans grapple with the disappointment of another World Cup qualification failure while looking toward the continental championship as the next opportunity for redemption.
