Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his spokesman, has issued an official statement following the Super Eagles’ elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria were knocked out after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, ending the nation’s hopes of reaching the tournament.

In his message, President Tinubu acknowledged the disappointment felt across the country but called for unity, support, and swift corrective measures.

“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. Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”

The President’s comments underline the need for structural reforms within Nigerian football following back-to-back World Cup qualification failures.

Attention will now turn to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Nigeria has been drawn into a competitive group featuring Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia.

President Tinubu emphasized that the tournament offers an important opportunity for the national team to rebuild confidence and restore pride.