Following Nigeria’s painful exit from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to turn the page and focus on the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a statement from his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the team for their efforts, despite Sunday’s (November 16) dramatic playoff loss to DR Congo in Morocco. The tense encounter ended 1-1 after extra time, with Nigeria losing 4-3 in the penalty shootout, handing DR Congo a spot in the Inter-Confederation playoff.
The defeat crushed Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 World Cup, marking the second consecutive missed qualification for the Super Eagles.
President Tinubu acknowledged the nation’s disappointment but called for unity and renewed focus. “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,” he said.
He added a clear mandate for the future: “Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The loss is a major setback for a talented generation of Nigerian footballers, intensifying pressure ahead of AFCON, scheduled in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The tournament now becomes the immediate priority for the national team.
