Super Eagles and Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka expressed disappointment after Sunday’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo which effectively buried Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Footynaija.com reports.
Onyeka got the Super Eagles off to a blistering start after just three minutes when he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of DR Congo’s box before unleashing a powerful low strike that ended up in the back of the net following a wicked deflection.
However, his goal didn’t count for much as the Leopards battled their way back into the game, equalizing through Meschack Elia in the 32nd minute and holding their ground to force extra-time as well as a penalty shootout which Nigeria lost.
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Reacting to the defeat, Onyeka, who played the entire match including extra-time, rued Nigeria’s missed opportunity to be at the World Cup.
“We, the players, are hurting, just as much as Nigerians are hurting. Nigerians have every right to be very upset with us,” he said in an interview with Osasu Obayiuwana.
“It is very tough not to go to the next FIFA World Cup. Some of us may not be around in five years, in 2030.
“It’s painful. But we have an AFCON to play in 34 days and we need to get ready for that and do better than we did last time.”
For the second time in a row, the Super Eagles will be mere spectators when the curtains drop for the commencement of international football’s biggest competition next summer. Nonetheless, just as Onyeka said, they must shake off this disappointment quickly and turn their full focus to delivering a fourth AFCCON title for Nigerians.
