Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has issued an apology to Nigerians following the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Galatasaray forward acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans across the country, admitting that the Super Eagles fell short of expectations by missing out on football’s biggest tournament.
Osimhen spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Tanzania, scheduled to take place in Fès on Tuesday, where he described the upcoming tournament as a chance for redemption.
“The expectations are very high. This AFCON is an opportunity for us to try and write out wrongs,” Osimhen told Pooja Media.
“Make the Super Eagles fans all over the world believe that there is so much more we can give. We are so sorry.
“We have to use this opportunity to say we are so sorry for not getting the World Cup ticket. We know the disappointment in the faces of Nigerian fans, it has happened, and we have to keep it going,” he said.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup followed a playoff final defeat to DR Congo a few weeks ago, a result that dashed the hopes of millions of Nigerian supporters. Osimhen’s comments reflect the team’s determination to regain trust and make amends at the upcoming AFCON tournament.
