Put World Cup defeat: Focus on AFCON, Shaibu tells Eagles

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Following the disappointing defeat by their counterparts from the DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, the Director General of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has charged the Super Eagles to shift their attention to the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Morocco.

The Eagles had on Sunday in Rabat, lost by 3 goals to 4 to Leopards of Congo after 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes extra time stood at one goal apiece.

The result finally sealed any hope of the three-time African champions to book a place in next year’s mundial to be co-hosted by the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Interestingly, this is second consecutive miss for Nigeria who also lost our in the championship that took place in Qatar in 2022.

The former Deputy Governor of Edo State who spoke in a statement issued by his SA Media, Ben Ogbemudia further described the miss as painful, even as he appealed to Nigerians not to relent in their support for Super Eagles by rallying round the team as they (Eagles) prepare for the AFCON in December.

“Missing out again from the World Cup is very painful. The boys put a strong performance but they lost gallantly. I knew they also wanted to go to the world Cup but it was not meant to be.

“I want to charge the boys to shift their focus to the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out from the World Cup and use the AFCON to appease to Nigerians, fans and supporters by winning their fourth title in Morocco next month.

“Also, I want to appeal to Nigerians to continue with their support for the national team at all times. It’s an understatement to say that we are all pained by the loss but I want to ask Nigerians that we should move on and put this defeat behind us,” Shaibu concluded.