President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for their determined performance in the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, despite their narrow defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s playoff match in Morocco.
Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup stage were dashed after a tense encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time, with DR Congo edging the Eagles 4-3 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Inter-Confederation play-off.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledged the disappointment felt by Nigerians but urged the nation to remain supportive of the team. He said the players deserved commendation for their hard work and for securing victory in their first playoff match before falling short in the final hurdle.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” the President said.
“We must now plug all the loopholes. Our football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders must go back to the drawing board.”
President Tinubu encouraged the Super Eagles to put the defeat behind them and channel their energy toward the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to hold from January to February 2026 in Morocco.
He stressed that the continental tournament provides an opportunity for the team to restore national pride.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his confidence in the team’s potential and called for unity among football stakeholders as Nigeria prepares for its next major challenge on the international stage.
