Nigeria’s Loss Vs DR Congo

Bola Tinubu Calls on Super Eagles to Target 2025 AFCON After World Cup Heartbreak Against DR Congo.

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to channel their disappointment into winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Nigeria crashed out of 2026 FIFA World Cup contention with a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Sunday’s playoff final in Rabat, Morocco.

The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Frank Onyeka’s early deflected strike cancelled out by Mechak Elia. Substitute goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu became the Leopards’ hero, saving three penalties from Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Moses Simon, while Chancel Mbemba scored the winner. DR Congo now head to the March 2026 intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, while Nigeria will miss a second consecutive World Cup.

In a statement released on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu commended the team’s effort but stressed the need for immediate refocus: “Although it was painful that the Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time, the team must be commended for striving hard to reach the Mundial.”

“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,” he added.

The 2025 AFCON is scheduled for January to February 2026 in Morocco. With lessons from the qualifiers, Nigeria now turns its full attention to reclaiming the African crown they last won in 2013.