President Bola Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their efforts in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite their elimination by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the playoff match decided on Sunday in Morocco.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President urged the team to put the disappointment behind them and begin early preparations for the 2025–2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were dashed after the Super Eagles lost 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo, following a 1–1 draw after extra time. The defeat marks the second consecutive World Cup the national team will miss.
According to Onanuga, President Tinubu believes the team deserves praise for their determination throughout the qualifiers. “Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Onanuga quoted the President as saying.
The President also called on football authorities to re-evaluate their strategies ahead of upcoming competitions.
“We must now plug all the loopholes. Our football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders must go back to the drawing board,” he said.
President Tinubu stressed that the focus must now shift fully to the forthcoming AFCON tournament.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” Onanuga added.
