Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, insists his players gave everything in their attempt to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their narrow defeat to DR Congo in Sunday’s play-off in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the global stage were dashed after DR Congo clinched Africa’s final ticket with a 4-3 penalty shootout win at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time.
Frank Onyeka put Nigeria ahead early in the game, but Meshack Elia levelled for the Congolese before halftime. The Eagles battled through a tense encounter but fell short in the decisive shootout.
The result confirmed Nigeria’s second consecutive World Cup absence, following their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022. When asked about his future after the defeat, Chelle declined to dwell on his job security.
“You have to ask the NFF and the commission,” he said. “I did well. We worked hard, and we gave our best — the players and the officials.”
Chelle, appointed in January, oversaw six matches in the qualifying campaign, winning four and drawing two. After missing automatic qualification, Nigeria turned to the play-offs, beating Gabon 4-1 after extra time last Thursday before falling to DR Congo in the final hurdle.
Since making their debut in 1994, the Super Eagles have qualified for six World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018), reaching the round of 16 three times. They have now missed the 2006, 2022, and 2026 editions.
Chelle’s next major task will be preparing the team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria will aim to recover from their runner-up finish at the last tournament in Ivory Coast and chase a fourth continental title.