Nigeria Broadcast journalist Oseni Rufai has slammed the APC government following the Super Eagles’ elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In a tweet on X formerly Twitter, Rufai wrote: “Under Buhari No World Cup 2022, Under Tinubu No World Cup 2025,” attributing Nigeria’s consecutive World Cup failures to what he described as politicised sports leadership.
The Super Eagles lost 4–3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, 2025, after a 1–1 draw in regulation time in Rabat.
The result marks Nigeria’s first consecutive World Cup absences since 1990 and 1994, fueling concerns about the country’s football administration, youth development, and investment in sports.
Rufai’s tweet drew over 950 reactions, with some Nigerians supporting his criticism of the APC for mismanagement and lack of funding in football.
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While others pointed out that missed World Cups have occurred under previous governments, including the PDP administration in 2006, highlighting that failures in football governance are not exclusively partisan.
The debate intensified after Nigeria’s coach, Éric Chelle, controversially claimed that DR Congo staff had “practised voodoo” during the shootout, an allegation that drew global attention.
The combination of political commentary and on-field controversy underscores deep-seated frustrations over the state of Nigerian football, prompting renewed calls for structural reforms and proper funding.
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