Nigeria’s Super Eagles players training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gabon
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has issued a formal apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, and millions of football-loving Nigerians after the Super Eagles were knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race.
Nigeria’s journey ended in painful fashion as DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties in the playoff final, leaving fans across the country heartbroken.
The loss was especially devastating because it came just days after the team’s spirited semi-final win over Gabon, a victory that had renewed hope and confidence among Nigerians.
Following public concern and a call for improvement from the presidency, the NFF took to their official social media platforms to express regret over the team’s failure.
Their statement read in part:
“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the Federal Government as a whole, and to millions of Nigerians, most especially our passionate, loyal football fans, following the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.”
The federation acknowledged the emotional weight of the defeat, describing it as a “moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.”
The NFF expressed how deeply disappointing it is for the nation to miss out on the World Cup again, especially for a football-loving population for whom the sport is more than entertainment—it is unity, hope, and pride.
“For a nation where the Super Eagles serve as a symbol of unity, hope, and collective pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth,” the statement continued.
The federation added that both the players and technical team understand the gravity of the setback. They also stressed the need for reflection, restructuring, and renewed commitment to ensure the national team bounces back stronger.
The NFF acknowledged the passion of Nigerians who support the team through victories and heartbreaks. They assured fans that lessons will be learned and improvements made to avoid a repeat of this painful outcome.
As Nigeria turns its attention to future competitions—including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)—the federation emphasized that rebuilding starts now.
Football-loving Nigerians will be watching closely to see what changes follow this apology, and whether the Super Eagles can rise again from this disappointing chapter.
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