President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for what he described as their “best efforts” in the race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the team’s painful defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s playoff decider.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President urged the team and Nigerians to move past the disappointment and shift their focus to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to hold in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
Nigeria fell short of qualifying for the World Cup for the second consecutive time after DR Congo triumphed 4–3 on penalties in Morocco.
While acknowledging the heartbreak felt by millions of Nigerians, Tinubu said the players deserved commendation for fighting hard throughout the qualifiers, especially after their convincing win in the first playoff match.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” the President said.
He described the defeat as a turning point for Nigerian football, urging football administrators, players, and stakeholders to “plug all loopholes” and return to the drawing board ahead of major continental competitions.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” Tinubu added.
