Nigeria’s hopes of earning an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup were crushed after finishing second in their qualifying group behind South Africa. The setback forced the Super Eagles into the African play-offs, where they ultimately fell to DR Congo in a penalty shootout during last month’s final in Morocco.
The result means Nigeria will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive edition, a bitter pill for a team that reached the AFCON final earlier this year and was widely expected to qualify with ease.
Niang Reflects on the Pain of Missing a World Cup
Speaking on Canal+, former Senegal international Mamadou Niang shared his perspective on Nigeria’s heartbreak, drawing parallels to his own experience in 2006 when Senegal failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany.
“It’s tough,” Niang said. “I knew in 2006 when we were eliminated by Togo, led by Emmanuel Adebayor, things got very complicated afterwards. I had a lot of trouble getting over it and even watching the World Cup in Germany.
Niang noted that the psychological weight of underperformance, especially after entering qualification as a favorite, can linger long after elimination.
“It’s not easy when you start as the favourite in your group and don’t get through,” he added. “It makes you sad, especially since you had a good AFCON.”
Losing Momentum After Success
Reflecting on Senegal’s own struggles after their near-miss, Niang stressed how difficult it is for teams to quickly recover from the emotional blow of missing out on football’s biggest stage.
“We also had a very good AFCON, but it was psychologically difficult to recover from that disappointment and to get running again,” he explained.
He emphasized that regaining confidence requires unity and strong leadership:
“Now it’s a collective effort, especially from the leaders and managers, to try and involve the players in the competition. The AFCON is an important competition, even though the World Cup remains the Holy Grail.
Super Eagles Turn Their Eyes to AFCON 2025
Despite the national disappointment, the focus now shifts to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria has been drawn in a competitive group featuring Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to name his final 28-man squad this week, trimming down from an initial 54-man provisional list. The upcoming tournament will serve as a crucial opportunity for the Super Eagles to rebuild confidence, reconnect with fans, and begin charting a path toward redemption.
