Interim coach Samson Siasia has lamented the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, saying he is "proud" of the way the players worked together after a difficult start.
Nigeria won't feature at AFCON for the second campaign in a row after they lost 1-0 against Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday evening following a 1-1 draw at home in Kaduna last week.
The Super Eagles are five points behind the Pharaohs with only one game left and they also can't qualify as best second-placed team as only the group winners will advance following Chad's withdrawal last week.
Siasia, who only took over as coach at the end of February following Sunday Oliseh's resignation, felt they were "unlucky" adding that the team were "broken" when he took over.
"We are very disappointed. We couldn’t do it," he is quoted as saying
"We inherited a broken team, but we worked so hard, but it was not to be.
"I’m proud of the boys. We were not lucky right from the first game in Kaduna. And God knows why.
"We thank Nigerians for their support."