By Peter Omopo
Abuja | November 18, 2025 – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, and millions of Nigerians following the Super Eagles’ defeat to DR Congo, which resulted in the team’s disqualification from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Playoff.
The apology was contained in a statement released on Monday and made available to TVC, in which the federation described the loss as “a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.”
‘A Disappointment of Great Weight’ — NFF
In the statement, the NFF expressed deep regret over the outcome of Sunday’s Africa Play-off Final in Rabat.
“The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to the Federal Government as a whole, and to millions of Nigerians — especially our passionate, loyal football fans — following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the statement read.
The federation noted that the defeat was particularly painful for a country where the Super Eagles are widely regarded as a “symbol of unity, hope, and collective pride.”
It added:
“Missing out on the World Cup for a second consecutive time is a disappointment of great weight and emotional depth.”
Players, Coaches Share Responsibility
The NFF further stated that the federation, technical crew, and players fully recognise the magnitude of the setback and understand the collective frustration felt by Nigerians.
They reiterated their commitment to undertaking a detailed review of the team’s performance and addressing critical shortcomings to rebuild confidence and restore national pride.
More updates are expected as the NFF outlines its next steps for restructuring and future competitions.
