Stanley Nwabali apology follows Nigeria’s 4–3 penalty loss to DR Congo in the World Cup playoff, as the Super Eagles take responsibility for the defeat
Stanley Nwabali apology came in the wake of Nigeria’s 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, which ended the Super Eagles’ bid for a 2026 World Cup spot.
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The match ended 1–1 after extra time, but DR Congo prevailed in the penalty decider.
The goalkeeper saved two kicks in the shootout, yet misses from Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi proved decisive.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba converted the winning penalty, sending the Leopards into the intercontinental playoffs.
In a heartfelt Instagram post following the match, Nwabali addressed Nigerian fans, saying he understood “how it feels giving you a disappointing night,” having once been a fan himself.
He emphasised that the players “gave everything for the badge” and acknowledged that the team’s best effort “wasn’t enough,” with the squad taking full responsibility for the outcome.
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The apology has been widely shared across social media, with supporters praising Nwabali’s professionalism and candour in a moment of national disappointment.
