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John Terry Says Super Eagles’ World Cup Miss Is a Blow as DR Congo Edge Nigeria in Dramatic Qualifier

Ex-England captain believes Nigeria’s absence leaves a gap, with DR Congo advancing after tense penalty shootout

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16 hours ago

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Ex-England captain believes Nigeria’s absence leaves a gap, with DR Congo advancing after tense penalty shootout

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has described Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major loss for the global tournament, following the Super Eagles’ painful defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff final. The match, which was decided by penalties after Nigeria’s earlier win over Gabon, ended Super Eagles’ hopes of returning to football’s biggest stage.

The decisive playoff saw Eric Chelle’s men keep their World Cup dream alive by beating Gabon in the semi-finals, but they could not overcome DR Congo when it mattered most. The clash finished level after regulation time before Nigeria lost out in the penalty shootout. Specific score details and names of goalscorers or penalty takers were not reported at press time. As a result, South Africa secured automatic qualification from Group C, while DR Congo took Africa’s final spot at the expense of the Super Eagles.

For Nigerian fans, this marks a second consecutive World Cup absence after also failing to qualify for Qatar 2022. Hopes of a late reprieve were dashed when the Nigeria Football Federation’s appeal against DR Congo—over alleged use of ineligible players—was dismissed by tournament organisers. This result prolongs frustration for supporters and raises tough questions about the team’s future direction under Chelle.

Terry, speaking during a virtual roundtable organised by SuperSport, told The PUNCH that Nigeria deserved to be at the tournament given their pedigree and talent: “Nigeria will be a big miss. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals… They’re a great nation.” He added that former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi was “very upset” about missing out on both the pitch and commentary opportunities. No statement had been issued by the Super Eagles coaching staff or the Nigerian Football Federation at press time regarding next steps.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off today with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City—a rematch of their famous 1–1 opener from 2010. For Nigerian football, attention now turns to upcoming AFCON qualifiers and rebuilding confidence ahead of future international campaigns.

Source: https://punchng.com/nigerias-world-cup-absence-a-big-miss-terry/

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Nigeria Sport (Soft click)

World Cup Stars Among Three Manchester United Players Face Trouble Over Speeding Offences

Two Red Devils with World Cup experience are now under scrutiny as speeding allegations hit the squad

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June 11, 2026

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Two Red Devils with World Cup experience are now under scrutiny as speeding allegations hit the squad

Three Manchester United players, including two who have represented their countries at the World Cup, are reportedly in hot water over alleged speeding offences. The exact details of the incidents, including the names of the players involved, locations, and specific dates, were not provided in available reports at press time.

According to initial coverage, the Premier League giants now face increased attention as authorities look into these allegations. The situation has sparked discussions about player discipline off the pitch and how such matters could affect Manchester United’s image going forward. No official statement has been released by Manchester United or any of the players’ representatives regarding these alleged offences.

For Nigerian fans of the Red Devils, this development adds a fresh layer of drama to an already eventful season. With several key players regularly featuring in international tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, any disciplinary issues off the pitch naturally raise concerns about potential suspensions or club sanctions that might impact squad depth ahead of crucial fixtures.

Neither Manchester United management nor the English Football Association had issued a formal response at press time. It also remains unclear if any Premier League action will be taken pending further investigation.

Manchester United’s next fixture is yet to be affected by these developments, but fans will be watching closely for updates before their upcoming match. Any new information or official statements will likely influence both team selection and public perception as events unfold.

Source: https://www.pulsesports.ng/story/two-world-cup-stars-among-3-man-u-players-land-in-hot-water-over-speeding-offences-2026061116530299231

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Lucky Fans Win Big as Rexona Promo Sends Nigerians to 2026 FIFA World Cup

Winners from the Rexona Consumer Promotion will travel to the United States for a once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience

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2 hours ago

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June 11, 2026

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Winners from the Rexona Consumer Promotion will travel to the United States for a once-in-a-lifetime World Cup experience

Nigerian football lovers have scored the ultimate prize as winners have emerged from the Rexona Consumer Promotion, securing tickets to watch live matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The final list of lucky fans was announced following the promotional campaign, but specific names and numbers of winners were not reported at press time.

The Rexona Consumer Promotion promised Nigerian consumers a shot at the global stage, and now, some are set for an unforgettable adventure in the United States when the world’s biggest football tournament kicks off in 2026. Details about which matches they will attend, or which cities in America they will visit, were not provided in available reports.

For Super Eagles supporters across Nigeria, this promotion means more than just free tickets—it is a chance to represent Naija on football’s grandest stage and cheer on African teams in person. The excitement is already building among fans hoping to see their heroes live.

Neither representatives of Rexona Nigeria nor any of the promotion winners had issued public statements at press time. There were also no comments from officials of the Nigerian Football Federation regarding how many fans would be sponsored or if similar promotions are planned for future tournaments.

With anticipation for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ growing and Super Eagles qualification hopes alive, all eyes will now turn to upcoming qualifiers and fan engagement activities ahead of next summer’s global spectacle.

Source: https://www.pulsesports.ng/story/winners-emerge-at-rexona-consumer-promotion-get-tickets-to-watch-fifa-world-cup-2026tm-matches-2026061116441323856

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Nigeria Sport (Soft click)

Super Eagles Hold Firm at 26th in FIFA Rankings Despite World Cup Absence

Nigeria remain ahead of rivals South Africa and Ghana after the latest global football rankings update

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3 hours ago

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June 11, 2026

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Nigeria remain ahead of rivals South Africa and Ghana after the latest global football rankings update

The Super Eagles have retained their position as the 26th-ranked national team in the latest FIFA rankings, even though they missed out on World Cup qualification. Nigeria continue to sit above continental rivals South Africa and Ghana following FIFA’s most recent update.

The report does not provide further details on points, movement compared to previous months, or the ranking positions of South Africa and Ghana. There is also no information about individual player performances or reactions from the Super Eagles camp.

For Nigerian fans, staying in the world’s top 30 offers some consolation after the disappointment of not featuring at the biggest football tournament. The result keeps Nigeria as one of Africa’s highest-ranked teams heading into upcoming qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), boosting confidence that the squad remains competitive on the international stage.

Neither Super Eagles head coach nor officials from the Nigerian Football Federation had commented on the latest ranking at press time. No statements from rival camps were available either.

Nigeria’s next major fixture is expected to be an AFCON qualifier, though date and venue details were not confirmed in available reports.

Source: https://www.pulsesports.ng/story/nigeria-ranked-26th-in-fifa-rankings-ahead-of-south-africa-and-ghana-after-latest-update-2026061115445866114

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