Jo Bonfrere: “Nigeria must begin early preparations for next World Cups”

Nigeria football marked another day of shock during the CAF World Cup playoffs against DR Congo.

The Super Eagles and the Leopards slugged it out in the finals with the latter winning 4-3 on penalty shootouts after a 1-1 draw in the entire minutes of the game.

Nigeria’s defeat marked a second consecutive FIFA World Cup absence after failing to reach the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The unwanted history has drawn massive discussions in Nigeria and beyond and ex-Super Eagles coach, Jo Bonfrere has urged the Football Federation [NFF] to start long-term planning for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups after missing out on 2026 edition in Canada, USA and Mexico.

DR Congo eliminated Nigeria

“The Super Eagles must put the 2026 World Cup disappointment behind them.

“Preparation for 2030 and 2034 must start now. Success is not an overnight event; it requires a decade of planning.” Bonfrere was quoted by Pulse Sports Nigeria.

The three time African champions however made amends for the World Cup miss at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations where they won bronze.

That performance was a drop from the 2023 AFCON where they reached the finals but lost to hosts Ivory Coast.