President Bola Tinubu has praised the Super Eagles for their efforts in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite the team’s dramatic elimination by the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup were dashed after the tense playoff match in Morocco ended 1–1 in extra time, with DR Congo winning 4–3 on penalties to advance to the Inter-Confederation play-off round.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said although the defeat was painful—marking Nigeria’s second consecutive World Cup miss—the players deserved commendation for their determination, especially after winning their first playoff match.

“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” the President said.

Calling for a renewed commitment to rebuilding the national team, President Tinubu urged football administrators, players, and stakeholders to “go back to the drawing board” and address gaps that hindered qualification.

He emphasized that all attention must now shift to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.

“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” he stated.

President Tinubu encouraged the team to put the World Cup disappointment behind them and prepare rigorously to reclaim continental success.