By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, November 17, apologised to President Bola Tinubu and all Nigerians over the loss by the Super Eagles to the national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the World Cup African qualifying play-off on Sunday.
The NFF also apologised for the inability of the team to be at the 2026 World Cup scheduled to hold next year in Qatar.
During the match, the Super Eagles lost 4-3 via penalty shootout after playing 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes and extra time.
In a statement apologising to the president and Nigerians, the NFF said the Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat, Morocco, remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.
“Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat remains a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football. 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 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.”
