Frank Onyeka Speaks From the Heart as Super Eagles’ World Cup Dreams Collapse: “We Are Hurting Too”

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has opened up about the deep pain and disappointment the Nigerian squad feels after crashing out of the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria’s hopes were shattered on Sunday after a tense playoff final against DR Congo, ending 1-1 in regulation time before a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout loss in Rabat, Morocco.

Speaking at the Casablanca Airport to British-Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Onyeka expressed what many fans have longed to hear—honesty, accountability, and genuine remorse.

“We, the players, are hurting just as much as Nigerians. Nigerians have every right to be very upset with us,” Onyeka said.

The Brentford midfielder didn’t shy away from the long-term implications, noting that missing out on the world’s biggest football stage is heartbreaking not only for fans but for the careers of players whose peak years are slipping by.

“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.”

Despite the emotional blow, Onyeka stressed that the team must regroup ahead of the AFCON, which begins in just 34 days.

“We have an AFCON to play. We need to get ready and do better than we did last time.”

A Heartbreaking Exit: Penalties, Fatigue and Costly Decisions

Nigeria played their second 120-minute match in three days, and fatigue told as three players missed their kicks during the shootout. Shockingly, some of Nigeria’s best penalty takers—including William Troost-Ekong, the team’s first-choice taker—remained on the bench during the crucial moment.

DR Congo, meanwhile, showed composure and tactical clarity, even swapping out their goalkeeper specifically for the penalties—a move that ultimately paid off.

Opinion: The Super Eagles’ Pain Is Real—But So Is Nigeria’s Demand for Change

Frank Onyeka’s honesty is refreshing, but it also highlights a deeper issue in Nigerian football. The Super Eagles are not lacking talent—they are lacking structure, planning, and emotional leadership.

This defeat feels heavier than others because qualification was within reach. Fatigue, questionable substitutions, and tactical confusion were evident. Nigeria failed not for lack of passion, but for lack of preparation.

Yet, amid the anger, Onyeka’s words remind us of something important:
The players are human. They feel the sting too.

What Nigeria needs now is a reset—not just on the pitch but in the entire football ecosystem. Coaching, management, team selection, fitness planning—everything must be re-evaluated.

With AFCON just weeks away, the Super Eagles have a chance to redeem themselves. But redemption will require more than apologies; it will demand courage, unity, and a willingness to evolve.

For now, the pain lingers—both for the players and the millions of Nigerians who believe football is more than a sport; it is a national identity.