Super Eagles midfielder, Frank Onyeka, has said the team must channel their disappointment into a determined push for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
With Eric Chelle’s men missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the upcoming AFCON has now become their biggest focus.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, were edged out 4-3 on penalties by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Africa Playoff final in Rabat on Sunday night.
Onyeka admitted the players are just as devastated as the fans but insisted they must now look ahead to the tournament in Morocco.
“We, the players, are hurting, just as much as Nigerians are hurting. Nigerians have every right to be very upset with us. It is very tough not to go to the next World Cup,” Onyeka said after the loss to the Leopards.
“Some of us may not be around in five years, in 2030. It’s painful.
“But we have an AFCON to play in 34 days and we need to get ready for that and do better than we did last time.
