“Keep It Moving” — Osimhen Breaks Silence on Super Eagles’ World Cup Absence

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has publicly addressed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently underway, offering a brief but pointed reaction as the tournament reaches its knockout stages without the West African nation.

Osimhen’s comments come as several of Nigeria’s regional rivals, including South Africa and Cape Verde, continue to make headlines at the tournament, intensifying scrutiny of the Super Eagles’ qualifying campaign, which fell short after a series of draws that proved costly in the final standings.

Nigerian football stakeholders have continued to reflect on the qualifying campaign’s shortcomings, with club owners and federation officials meeting in recent weeks to discuss strategies for accelerating the growth and development of the domestic game ahead of future qualifying cycles.

Vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Ned Nwoko, said last week that the disappointment should serve as motivation for football authorities and players, expressing confidence the Super Eagles would return stronger for the 2030 World Cup.

Osimhen, who remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent forwards on the international stage, continues preparations with his club ahead of the new season, with reports suggesting his long-term future remains a subject of ongoing transfer speculation.

Nigerian football fans continue to closely follow the ongoing World Cup, with several African teams’ performances fuelling renewed debate over what changes are needed to return the Super Eagles to future editions of the tournament.