“Hurts a lot” – Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper weighs in on World Cup absence

Former Super Eagles and BBC Lions Moses Kpakor has weighed in on Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrik Foot reports.

Eric Chelle was brought in just over a year ago and was given an insurmountable task of qualifying a Nigerian team that didn’t have a win from their first four World Cup qualifying games.

The Franco-Malian heralded the Super Eagles to four wins and two draws, enough to seal a play-off spot, but they faltered against DR Congo, eventually ending hopes of another Mundial appearance.

Moses Kpakor opines on Super Eagles’ World Cup absence

Kpakor claimed an AFCON silver medal with Nigeria during the 1990 edition, and was involved in some of the qualifiers leading up to the Green and Whites’ first World Cup appearance, but didn’t make the final cut.

The 60-year-old has aired his opinion on Nigeria missing out on two consecutive World Cup appearances.

“Like a lot of Nigerians, I am not happy the Super Eagles will not be at the World Cup this year, and it hurts me a lot,” the former Abiola Babes man said in an interview with Footy Africa.

“This is the second time in a row that we will not be making it to the biggest football competition in the world. A country like Nigeria should be there competing with the best.

“However, when I saw the games lined up for the team just before the tournament, it eased the pain a bit.

“Playing Portugal and Poland in June, for me, is like a mini World Cup in itself. I think the last time we played Portugal, we lost 4-0, so this will be a good test for the boys. Poland are also a very strong side.

“There is the added excitement of the Unity Cup, so I am really looking forward to those games, even though I would have preferred to see us at the World Cup,” Kpakor concluded.

Nigeria will battle India, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica next month in London as they battle for the 2026 Unity Cup.