Tinubu Urges Super Eagles to Restore Lost Glory at 2025 AFCON

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Super Eagles to bounce back from their World Cup disappointment by focusing on winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president praised the national team for their strong effort in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers despite Sunday’s painful playoff defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tinubu encouraged the team to quickly move past the setback and channel their energy toward the AFCON tournament, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.

Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the World Cup were dashed after DR Congo edged the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties in Morocco. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time.

Although disappointed by the outcome, Tinubu commended the players for their resilience and for winning their first playoff match before the decisive loss.

“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” the president said.

He urged football administrators, players, and stakeholders to “plug all loopholes” and return to the drawing board as preparations begin for the continental tournament.

“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” he added.

The three-time African champions have been drawn into Group C, where they will face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, Uganda’s Cranes, and Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.

Nigeria last lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi, who also captained the team to victory in 1994. The country’s first AFCON title came in 1980 when the then Green Eagles defeated Algeria 3-0 in Lagos.

The Super Eagles reached the AFCON final in Ivory Coast in 2023 but narrowly lost 2–1 to the hosts, despite taking the lead through captain William Troost-Ekong.