The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians over the Super Eagles’ inability to secure World Cup qualification for the second consecutive time.
The Port City News (TCPN) earlier reported that the team crashed out of the World Cup qualifiers on Sunday after losing 4–3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo, following a 1–1 draw in regular time.
In a statement posted on its X page on Monday, the NFF said Sunday’s defeat to DR Congo in the Africa play-off final in Rabat remained a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.
According to the federation, for a nation where the Super Eagles represent unity, hope, and collective pride, missing out on the World Cup for a second straight cycle is a disappointment of immense weight and emotional depth.
“We wish 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.
Also Read: Nigerians Cry, As Super Eagles Misses Out On World Cup
“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment. We understand the expectations Nigerians rightly hold. We understand the passion and sacrifice of a country that has always stood firmly behind its team, through triumphs and trials. And we recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved”, said NFF.
Enter Nwabali
However, the team goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali described the team’s exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as the most painful moment of his career.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page on Monday, Nwabali, one of the few players who stood tall throughout the entire qualifying campaign, said the team had given their all for the badge.
He added that, having once been a fan himself, he understood the disappointment of letting supporters down.
Stepping forward to shoulder the pain, he wrote: “Painful! We all did our best for the badge, though our best wasn’t enough. I was once a fan and understand how it feels giving you a disappointing night. We take full responsibility.”
His words carried a weight deeper than a mere apology. Despite keeping Nigeria alive all night with a crucial save from a bullet header in the dying seconds of extra time and two penalty stops in the shootout, the dream still slipped through his gloves.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has urged the team to shift its focus to the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu encouraged the players to concentrate on AFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. This year’s tournament will run in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Nigeria will open their campaign at Fez Stadium against Tanzania on 23 December 2025.
