Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has opened up about the team’s profound disappointment. He revealed the players are carrying the same heartbreak felt by millions of Nigerians. This follows their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The recent defeat to DR Congo in Sunday’s playoff final has left emotions raw. The Brentford star admitted the overwhelming sadness is weighing heavily on the entire squad.

British-Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana recently met Onyeka at Casablanca Airport. There, the midfielder candidly discussed the team’s coping mechanisms since the significant loss.

“We, the players, are hurting immensely,” Onyeka stated. “Nigerians are hurting just as much. They have every right to be very upset with us.”

The Pain of a Missed Opportunity

Onyeka acknowledged that for many in the team, this World Cup represented a rare opportunity. The harsh reality that some might not get another chance makes the defeat even more difficult to bear.

“It is incredibly tough not to go to the next FIFA World Cup,” he explained. “Some of us may not even be around in five years, in 2030.”

He continued, “It’s truly painful. However, we have an AFCON to play in just 34 days. We must now prepare for that competition and strive to perform better than we did last time.”

The Critical Penalty Shootout

Despite having some of the team’s most reliable penalty takers on the bench, Nigeria notably missed three spot kicks. This included their first-choice taker, William Troost-Ekong.

In contrast, DR Congo approached the shootout with remarkable urgency. They even replaced their starting goalkeeper just before the decisive moment. Their composure ultimately paid off. They converted four penalties, sealing a 4-3 victory against the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles now turn their attention to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, hoping to bounce back from this profound disappointment and deliver a strong performance for Nigerian fans.