The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tendered an unreserved apology following the Super Eagles’ loss to DR Congo in Rabat, which ended their bid for the 2026 World Cup, and has now pledged to focus on winning the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco.
According to a report from This Day (Lagos), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has tendered an unreserved apology for the failure of the Super Eagles to win the African ticket to the final Intercontinental Playoffs scheduled to hold March next year in Mexico.
The Super Eagles lost out 3-4 in the shootouts with DR Congo after regulation and extra time deadlocked at 1-1 in the final match of the 2026 World Cup African Playoffs in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday night.
In a lengthy apology message addressed to President Bola Tinubu and passionate Nigerian football stakeholders, the NFF described the loss to DR Congo as a moment of “profound sadness” for Nigerian football.
NFF’s Director Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, issued the statement, saying: “Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Playoff 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.”
He added that the NFF, technical crew, and players understood the gravity of the moment and recognized that “our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved.”
The federation acknowledged the enormous financial support received from the President Tinubu Administration throughout the campaign.
Amidst calls for resignation from a section of stakeholders, the NFF promised to review Nigeria’s entire participation in the qualifiers.
Looking forward, the NFF immediately pledged: “As we look forward, our immediate attention turns to the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, which begins shortly.
This tournament presents an opportunity for healing, for renewal, and for demonstrating the resilience that has always defined Nigerian football.”