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Samuel Chukwueze has attributed Nigeria’s heartbreaking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to sheer misfortune, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria fell 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw across 120 minutes, confirming their absence from a second consecutive World Cup, the nation’s first such run since the 1980s.
Ranked far above the Congolese and backed by a star-studded squad featuring Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles were widely expected to progress.
Chukwueze, who played the opening hour, offered an emotional assessment after the defeat.
The Fulham attacker insists the Super Eagles remain the more gifted side despite losing to DR Congo in Sunday’s continental playoff final in Rabat.
“Nigeria is a team made up of top-level players,” he said.
“For tonight, it was a disastrous and hard-to-accept night. We will come back stronger and more mature.
“Regarding the talents, it’s not a question of quality: we have a very talented team, perhaps even more so than that of Congo. But football is cruel: it’s not a question of talent, just a bad day.
“Bravo to our opponent, who was impenetrable across all lines. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a team play like the DRC’s. They accomplished their mission. Congratulations and good luck for the rest. I ask forgiveness from our people.”
Osimhen’s halftime injury and Lookman’s early withdrawal robbed Nigeria of attacking fluency, while Chelle’s tactical system, a fluid 4-4-2 with narrow wingers, left Congo space to attack down the flanks. Meschack Elia cancelled out Frank Onyeka’s early opener, and Nigeria’s substitutions struggled to reignite the game as the Congolese dug in.
Extra time produced little before the contest ended in penalties, where Congo held their nerve.
This helped clarify a lot of questions I had.