President Bola Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their efforts in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite their loss in the playoffs to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.

The President urged the team to move past the disappointment and focus on preparing for the African Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from January to February 2026 in Morocco.

Nigeria’s hopes of featuring in the 2026 World Cup ended after the Super Eagles were eliminated in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 in extra time, with DR Congo winning 4-3 on penalties to advance to the Inter-Confederation play-off.

President Tinubu acknowledged the pain of missing out on the World Cup for the second consecutive time but praised the team for their determination and performance, especially after winning the first playoff match. He said: “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 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.”