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The Digest:

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has issued a heartfelt apology to Nigerian fans following the team's penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo that ended their 2026 World Cup hopes. According to TheCable, the Chippa United shot-stopper took to social media to express his pain and accept responsibility, acknowledging that the team's "best wasn't enough" despite their efforts throughout the qualifying campaign.

Key Points:
  • Stanley Nwabali apologized to Nigerians for the World Cup qualifying failure.
  • Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
  • Nwabali saved two penalties but couldn't prevent the defeat.
  • He stated the team "did our best for the badge," but accepted responsibility.
  • This marks Nigeria's first back-to-back World Cup absence since 1994.
  • The team had previously boycotted training over unpaid allowances.
  • Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Semi Ajayi missed crucial penalties.
In this moment of national disappointment, a goalkeeper's apology becomes the voice of collective heartbreak, where even heroic saves couldn't calm the storm of missed opportunities that ultimately rooted out a nation's World Cup dream

Sources: The Cable