Former Super Eagles midfielder Sani Kaita has expressed deep disappointment after Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were officially ended following FIFA’s ruling on the country’s case against the DR Congo national team.
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Kaita described the situation as painful, especially for the players who had hoped to compete on the global stage.
“It’s a shame, and I feel gutted for the players,” he said.
The former midfielder reflected on Nigeria’s rich football history, referencing the country’s historic gold medal win at the 1996 Olympic Games in the United States.
“It would have been special to return there 30 years later,” he added.
According to Kaita, missing out on the World Cup represents a lost opportunity for Nigeria to make another statement on the global stage.
He stressed that the players and the nation as a whole will feel the disappointment of not being part of such a prestigious competition.
“It’s a big missed opportunity,” he noted.
Kaita concluded by urging Nigerian football authorities to learn from the setback and focus on rebuilding for future qualification campaigns, ensuring that the country does not miss out on another major tournament.
