Former Nigerian international Friday Ekpo has expressed his disappointment with the Super Eagles’ inability to overcome DR Congo in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup playoffs final in Rabat, Morocco.
This was after Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo in a tightly-contested game.
The game ended 1-1 after normal and extra time. But during penalties, the Leopards of DR Congo overpowered the Super Eagles 3-4 to pick Africa’s sole ticket for the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.
Read Also:DR Congo End Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Qualification Hopes After Penalty shootout Win
Reacting after the game, Ekpo in a chat with Completesports.com stated that he’s unimpressed with the performance with the Super Eagles.
“It’s difficult for me to believe that the Super Eagles fail to beat DR Congo.
“My expectations was high because I was confidence Nigeria will pick the sole ticket for Africa. The team failed to control the game and they paid dearly for it via the penalty shootouts.
“I am really not happy at the moment; I just can’t accept the fact that Nigeria won’t be playing at the 2026 World Cup.”
2 Comments
The only thing i am expecting to hear this week is “THE GUSSAU LEAD NFF HAS BEEN OVERHAUL INCLUDING NDIDI, SIMON, CHUKWUEZE, AJAYI….. NEW ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED SOON”…..
This news will appease every super eagles fan world wide
That will be shocking because Pinnick waited till the end of his administration in 2022 after eagles crashed out in 2021. He even dated to seek a third term before they told him he was stretching his luck.
Gusau was in that board and because there were no consequences in 2021, Nigeria recycled the same mediocrity.
Gusau will not resign.
Even if he does and very unlikely because we’d move on to other sad news soon, North will want to continue their “turn” because governance is politics. It’s hopeless.
The most painful thing about the defeat last night (I couldn’t sleep) was the fact that 90% of the squad that failed in 2021 were in yesterday’s adventure. They didn’t learn any lesson from 2021.
And NFF even ruined our cadet teams that apart from Fredricks, we don’t have any up and coming Superstars to take over from this squad who will mostly likely go to afcon next month.
The malaise by NFF is being prepared for falcons as well. Still taking things for granted but why should I expect sanity from an insane group anyway?
It is very impossible eagles as is now will be third time lucky in 2030 qualifiers that will start in 2027 when obviously (apart from football age), all those players yesterday would be over 30.
Gabon’s squad, hammered by Dr drey were in their 30s when we wiped them clean.
Imagine leaving yesterday’s team for another 2 years.
I don’t expect any miracles next month from people who were not inspired by 2021 failure, 4 years later
By the way, our FIFA rankings will obviously tank over the coming years which means we might not be seeded anymore and you know what it means.
No development plans.
No suitable replacements.
No foreign born pros are convinced of our project (as at last night, DRC had 3 new foreign born approved by FIFA to join the others and they were not doing anything “fantastic” before now as a country)
Local talents are chosen on the basis of who paid higher bribes.
Our league is nothing to write home about.
No referees have been recognized by CAF since 2006.
It’s well.