Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka says Nigerians hold every reason to be upset with the team after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After a gruesome group qualification for the finals in which they made it as one of the four best second-placed teams in Africa, Nigeria defeated Gabon in the semi-final but lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the playoff in Morocco, on Sunday night.
The three-time African champions lost 4-3 on penalties after playing 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
Onyeka gave Nigeria the lead in the third minute but the DRC equalized in the 34th minute. None of the teams could find the equalizer in the second half and the 30 minutes of extra time.
Nigeria went on to miss three kicks during the shootout, meaning the Eagles will miss back-to-back World Cups for the time since making their debut at the mundial in 1994.
Onyeka, who scored the crucial goal that got Nigeria into the playoff against Benin Republic has been arguably one of the key players in the team.
In a response to the disappointment, the Brentford star lamented that some of the players in the team might not be around in 2030, the next time Nigeria can dream of another World Cup dream.
“We, the players, are hurting, just as much as Nigerians are hurting. Nigerians have every right to be very upset with us. It is very tough not to go to the next FIFA World Cup,” he said in a reaction posted by Osasu Obayiuwana.
“Some of us may not be around in five years, in 2030. It’s painful. But we have an #AFCON to play in 34 days and we need to get ready for that and do better than we did last time.”
