What Tinubu Said After the Super Eagles Crashed Out of World Cup Qualifiers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Super Eagles to redirect their energy toward upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions after Nigeria’s painful exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria fell 4-3 to DR Congo in a tense penalty shootout in Rabat, Morocco, after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. The defeat ended the country’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged players and fans to accept the disappointment and prepare for future challenges. “Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” he said.

He added that Nigeria must “plug all the loopholes” and that football administrators, players, and other stakeholders should “go back to the drawing board.”

Tinubu stressed the need for the team to learn from the setback and refocus on continental success. He reminded Nigerians that “now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations” and insisted that the Super Eagles “must recover the lost glory.”