Immediate past President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, has narrated a humorous but painfully honest account of how Nigeria’s World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo turned what should have been a routine inspection visit in Kinshasa into an unexpectedly humbling experience.
Igali was in the DR Congo capital to assess facilities ahead of the 2026 Senior African Wrestling Championships, but football — as he put it — “changed the entire mood of the trip.”
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Just two days before the Super Eagles faced DR Congo, Igali confidently assured his Congolese hosts that Nigeria would “handle business with ease” in the all-important playoff. But once the Eagles were eliminated in a tense penalty shootout, the dynamic shifted dramatically.
Igali humorously revealed that every interaction became an unspoken reminder of Nigeria’s defeat.
“From that moment,” he said, “every handshake came with a Congolese grin. Every ‘How are you enjoying Kinshasa?’ felt like a gentle reminder: ‘We beat you o.’ My confidence evaporated immediately!”
He explained that although the Congolese were warm and friendly, their subtle teasing made the final days of the trip feel much longer than expected.
Despite the football banter, Igali confirmed that the mission was successfully accomplished, and preparations for the championship were progressing well.
He concluded his remarks with patriotic pride:
“All the same, mission accomplished — and I’m more than happy to be heading back home. Win or lose, nothing beats Nigeria.”
Igali’s candid recount has since gone viral, resonating with fans who found his story both relatable and symbolic of the emotional rollercoaster of African football.
