By Ayomide Otitoju
President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for their “best efforts” in the FIFA World Cup qualification playoff, despite their 4–3 defeat on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday. The loss means Nigeria has failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
In a statement on Monday from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu encouraged the national team to overcome the disappointment and turn their focus to preparations for the African Cup of Nations, scheduled in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” the President said, noting that the team deserved recognition for advancing to the playoff stage, especially after winning their first match.
He also called on football administrators, players, and stakeholders to address shortcomings in the sport. “Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” Tinubu added.
