There’s no pleasure within the land this morning after the Tremendous Eagles did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as offended Nigerian followers are actually blaming George Finidi for every part, Softfootball experiences.
Nigeria misplaced 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo throughout the play-off remaining in Morocco after the sport ended 1-1. DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba, who scored a last-minute winner in opposition to Cameroon within the semi-final of the play-off was readily available to attain the profitable penalty for Leopards to remove Nigeria within the remaining.
The Tremendous Eagles had been overwhelming favourites to qualify and 19 locations above DR Congo within the FIFA rating however misplaced on the essential evening which left followers disillusioned after the match in Rabat. The Central Africans will now symbolize Africa within the remaining intercontinental qualifier which will likely be held subsequent March in Mexico.
It was certainly a tragic defeat for Nigeria with all of the expectations, having certified for six of the final eight FIFA World Cups, lacking solely the 2006 and 2022 editions., Sunday evening’s loss signifies that the Tremendous Eagles will miss consecutive World Cups for the primary time since 1990. On its official X deal with, they shared:
Collectively we stand robust pic.twitter.com/kwxBciudQe
— 🇳🇬 Tremendous Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 16, 2025
Some followers had been logical about their response to the Tremendous Eagles failure to qualify whereas majority poured out their anger on former supervisor, George Finidi, who was one of many coaches concerned throughout the two-year qualifier for Nigeria, the others are Jose Peseiro and now Eric Chelle.
Finidi substitute Jose Peseiro, who had began the qualifiers with two attracts on April 29, 2024 and lead Nigeria to a draw in opposition to South Africa on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo earlier than dropping 2-1 to Benin Republic, leaving Nigeria with simply three factors from 4 matches within the World Cup qualifier.
Nonetheless, his tenure was marred by an enormous rift with Tremendous Eagles star man, Victor Osimhen earlier than his contract was terminated and Eric Chelle stepped in for a rescue job that collapsed on the play-off remaining in opposition to DR Congo. Nigerian followers naturally love Osimhen and it was the Galatasaray striker that obtained a brace within the 4-1 win over Gabon to set-up a remaining with the Leopards. Sadly, he obtained injured after the primary 45 minutes and couldn’t proceed and that confirmed because the Eagles lacked chunk in assault.
A logical Tremendous Eagles fan, @ajee_vibes shared his ideas after the match. He stated:
My take aways from the Nigeria WCQ play-off remaining match:
*Nigeria ought to begin scouting for one more GK to construct with as a result of Nwabali is now an enormous legal responsibility with pricey errors in a couple of events in each match.
*Fredrick is the long run and is able to make the step up and turn into a presence in our backline.
*Chukwueze is inconsistent.
*Lookman not performs for Nigeria, we are able to’t preserve making him a certain starter.
*Moses Simon has misplaced his dribbling which is the one good thing in his recreation.
*Nigeria is 💯 reliant on Victor Osimhen.
*Èric Chelle did an excellent job and will preserve his job, many people by no means had religion in him.
@YaseerikoAdam was not having the stand collectively speak by the Tremendous Eagles with a bizarre reply.
Stand robust along with gamers like this Tolu man? Abeg go relaxation pic.twitter.com/heI95zgEEC
— Yasir Adam (@YaseerikoAdam) November 16, 2025
Whereas one other fan, @sogotomiwa stated:
The final time Nigeria certified to the World Cup:
– Lamine Yamal was in main faculty
– Messi was nonetheless at Barça
– Ancelotti was the coach for Everton
– Messi had 0 worldwide trophies
-Haaland, Sancho and Bellingham had been teammates.
-Lewandowski was nonetheless at Bayern
The dialog at this level switched utterly to George Finidi. Because the followers actually let go on the Rivers United Coach with out holding something again.
@anointingfire89 stated:
Finidi George induced this ,if he had gained one recreation ,we might have topped the desk and certified ..,Eric Chelle tried oooo…
NFF and Finidi George,,,You probably did this once more.. any coach with this type of head no too dey Sabi coach instance , Slot, Ten hagg
@HeisMaxwellfr requested:
Somebody ship me Finidi George home handle abeg
I simply wan comply with am speak pic.twitter.com/33GwIuwKNa— Seven (@HeisMaxwellfr) November 16, 2025
@Eazy2077 prolonged his anger in direction of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) and former Tremendous Eagles Coaches Finidi and Jose Peseiro. He stated:
All of them within the NFF ought to simply resign, however greediness gained’t enable them
Bunch of incompetent folks
From Pesseiro to Finidi George disgrace on all of you
The one factor giving us pleasure on this nation you guys have taken it away
You tons are shameless @thenff @NGSuperEagles
@Ezigbo_mmadu shared an outdated clip of George Finidi speaking about techniques and stated that was the place Tremendous Eagles downside began from.
This was the place our World Cup Qualification downside began with Finidi George. https://t.co/CbuDUNrbND
— God’s Work (@Ezigbo_mmadu) November 16, 2025
@the_realtomy on his half stated:
If Nigeria was a critical nation DSS for don decide Finidi George by now, werey no match win single recreation dey there dey search for respect pic.twitter.com/Zdd1cZnxtV
— TommyCFC💙 (@the_realtomy) November 17, 2025
@Omahh_11 added:
Good morning Nigerians
Now that the Tremendous Eagles have been eradicated from the 2026 World Cup.
Only a reminder that is the match that put Nigeria into all this playoff
shenanigans…Finidi George failed us how after we misplaced to Benin Republic 😇 we might be first on the group if not for that recreation
@bronze_voice blamed the NFF for appointing Finidi to handle the Tremendous Eagles. He stated:
NFF actually did Nigerians soiled by appointing Finidi George, not pointing fingers nevertheless it’s nonetheless necessary to level it out 😩😂
From Actual Betis academy to Enyimba FC, then growth.. head coach of the Tremendous Eagles 😂.
No normal in any respect…. Could God assist us
After lacking out for the 2026 World Cup in North America, the Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria will strive qualify for the 2030 Mundial to be hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
