Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has called for unity and continued support for the Super Eagles following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after Nigeria’s elimination was confirmed, Olopade insisted that the moment called for solidarity rather than finger-pointing.
“This is not the time to start talking about who did what and who did not do what,” he said.
“We have lost the possibility of going to the World Cup. We need to go back, sit down, and recalibrate.”
The Sports Commission boss revealed that he and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, personally visited the team to offer comfort and appreciation.
“We had to come and console the boys, congratulate them and thank them, because it’s not every time they win matches that we come and start dancing with them.”
“I’ve gone around, I’ve hugged literally all the players and all the coaching crew. We cannot, at this time, turn our backs and pretend we do not recognise the fact that they are heroes.”
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) now the immediate priority, the Director General urged the nation to channel its disappointment into renewed determination.
“We need to hold on to our pillows, feel sad a bit, wake up tomorrow morning and say, ‘We are Nigerians.’ We must move on and push forward.”
Acknowledging the widespread sadness across the country, Bukola Olopade admitted his own disappointment but stressed the importance of leadership during difficult moments.
“Right now, I know people are sad. Am I sad? Of course, I am sad, but the role I play in sports demands that I must act as a father figure to these young men.”
“And that we’ve done.”
As Nigeria comes to terms with missing its second consecutive World Cup, Olopade demands that the focus must now shift to preparing for the continental tournament in Morocco in December.
