Eric Chelle with Super Eagles players
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to “focus all effort” on the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.
Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their penalties, and Chancel Mbemba scored the winning kick for the Congolese to send them into the intercontinental playoffs.
In a statement on Monday, Tinubu commended the Eagles for “their efforts” and pledged to continue to support them.
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The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said.
“We must now plug all the loopholes. Our football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders must go back to the drawing board.
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“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
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Nigeria will be hoping to go one better than its second-place finish at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
