Eiii chale! The Super Eagles of Nigeria, dem no go dey the 2026 World Cup. Imagine! After all the hype and the talented players wey dem get. E dey pain, ruff! The whole nation dey feel am. Dem be three-time continental champions, but now dem dey watch the World Cup for TV. Wossop?!
What Went Wrong?
The qualifying campaign be like roller coaster. Two managers chop sacking, players dey boycott training – the whole thing be mess. The squad get stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, but still dem no fit qualify. Dem lose for penalties against DR Congo for the Africa play-off final. E hard!
Remember the 1994 World Cup for USA? Nigeria burst onto the scene, reach the last 16. Then dem win gold for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Those days be sweet, but now… hmm. The fifth-ranked side for Africa no go dey add to that legacy for the next World Cup wey USA, Mexico, and Canada go host.
Behind the Scenes Wahala
After dem start well against DR Congo, things fall apart. Frank Onyeka score early, but Meschack Elia equalise. Then Osimhen get injured, and the Super Eagles no threaten again. For the penalty shootout, Calvin Bassey shoot over the bar, then Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi miss dem own too. Aaaah!
Even the DR Congo coach, Eric Chelle, dey accuse one of dem technical staff of “voodoo” during the penalties. Voodoo?! Chale, e be serious matter. Some people dey call the coach ein comments “surreal”.
- Changes of manager
- Player boycotts
- Penalty shootout heartbreak
So now, the question be: what next for the Super Eagles? Dem for go back to the drawing board and fix things sharp sharp. We dey hope say dem go come back stronger!