President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for their performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, urging Nigerians to remain optimistic and redirect their support toward the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2026.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes were dashed on Sunday after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The highly competitive match ended 1–1 after extra time, with Frank Onyeka scoring early for Nigeria before M. Elia equalised for Congo. Despite several scoring chances in extra time, neither side could secure a winner.
The shootout saw Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon miss key penalties for Nigeria, while Stanley Nwabali saved Congo’s first attempt. DR Congo eventually sealed a 4–3 victory, knocking Nigeria out of contention for the second consecutive World Cup.
In a statement released Monday by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu applauded the team’s courage and urged football stakeholders to conduct a thorough review of the team’s performance.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said, calling for renewed commitment from players, administrators, and the wider football community.
He stressed the importance of refocusing national efforts on the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in Morocco, urging the team to “recover lost glory” and approach the tournament with greater strategic preparation.
Tinubu also appealed to Nigerian fans to stay united behind the national team, noting that the Super Eagles displayed resilience and determination throughout the playoff matches despite the disappointing outcome.
