Russian-based Super Eagles forward Olakunle Olusegun has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the ongoing FIFA World Cup, urging stakeholders to begin preparations immediately for the 2030 edition.
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Sports247 reports that the former ABS FC star admitted that the absence of the Super Eagles from football’s biggest stage remains a painful reality for players and fans alike, especially as Nigeria has now missed consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Olusegun made the remarks while speaking with journalists after participating in a novelty match involving Kwara-based and foreign-based players. The entertaining encounter ended 1-1 in regulation time before the foreign-based side emerged 4-3 winners on penalties.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s qualification failure, the forward described the situation as a hard lesson for the national team and emphasized the need for better planning ahead of future campaigns.
“It is disappointing again for the Eagles not to qualify for the World Cup. This is sad, and preparations for the next edition should start immediately,” Olusegun said.
The striker, who featured for the Super Eagles during last year’s Unity Cup, noted that many players within the national team setup share similar frustrations over the missed opportunity to compete on the global stage.
Beyond the World Cup discussion, Olusegun commended the organisers of the novelty match, praising the initiative for bringing together players with roots in Kwara State and strengthening relationships among footballers who have represented the state at different levels.
He described the event as a valuable platform for promoting unity, camaraderie, and continued interaction among both home-based and foreign-based professionals.
Also speaking after the match, Greece-based footballer Mubarak Gata applauded the organisers for creating an atmosphere that encouraged togetherness among players.
He urged them to sustain the initiative and expand it in future editions to further strengthen bonds within the football community.
The match itself produced plenty of excitement, with Kwara United goalkeeper Abdullahi Boje emerging as one of the standout performers.
The shot-stopper delivered a series of impressive saves during regulation time and played a crucial role in keeping the home-based side in contention before the foreign-based team eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout.
While the novelty game celebrated friendship and unity, Olusegun’s comments served as a reminder of the disappointment surrounding Nigeria’s World Cup absence and the urgent need to build a stronger foundation for future qualification campaigns.
