Africa Football Discussion || Current Topic: AFCON 2025 Qualifiers - CAF.

[youdacapt]

For anyone who's taken time to study the level of dedication among African players when they're representing their respective clubs as well when they're playing for their national teams, you'll find out that they're very much concerned about their performance in their clubs especially those of them that are playing for big European clubs. That's unpatriotism and it's not even found among  their European counterparts .
The game the Super Eagles of Nigeria played against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa two days ago was a World Cup qualifier so I expected the team to be more show more determination to win the game than what we saw. The new coach of the Super Eagles Finidi George has a lot of work to do in the team if he really wants to succeed with the national team.

On a wider review; I think it is unfair to accuse footballers of unpatriotic acts when it comes to national football; because footballers don’t play for patriotism; they play for the welfare benefits

Even at club levels; they always choose the best clubs available for them be it for wages, locations and sponsorship. The way each national team treats his players is the same way the players would respond, tbf

[letteredhub]

If you ask me, I'd say the Eagles take international games less important than they do at their clubs.

That's the problem with all African players that are playing in Europe in fact. They care a lot about their teams more than their nations. They make less efforts and contacts to avoid injuries.. You can see Salah in Liverpool and with Egypt, you feel like there is two players with the same name. Same for so many players in Nigeria or other nations.
Talking about Nigeria, they will have a game tomorrow against Benin which is third in the group for the moment and Nigeria is expected to win and jump in front of them.

Am not sure about other country football federations how they treat their national players in terms of pay every bit of numerations and giving much of undiluted priority to critically injured players from an international match for the nation but for the case of  Nigeria I guess past experiences has taught most of these players to act in the manner they do. We all know the bitter truth about this compared to how these players club sides treats and attend to them. If I was a footballer I wonder where you be expecting to give my totality.

In tomorrow's game Nigeria has to win to have a much better chance of qualifying for the WC. Finidi has to make sure to grab this three points at all cost.

[nelson4lov]

In tomorrow's game Nigeria has to win to have a much better chance of qualifying for the WC. Finidi has to make sure to grab this three points at all cost.

In the last game against South Africa, he choose not to play Victor Boniface among other top players citing a tactical decision. I hope we'd start seeing the results of those tactical decisions when Nigeria goes head to head with Benin tomorrow. We need to start putting our best foot forward if we still plan on going very far in the next world cup tournament.

I believe that African football is enroute to its peak we should be begin to compete actively for the world cup title itself rather than just do the bare minimum work to ace the qualifiers. We should do better, really.

[Marvelockg]

If you ask me, I'd say the Eagles take international games less important than they do at their clubs.

That's the problem with all African players that are playing in Europe in fact. They care a lot about their teams more than their nations. They make less efforts and contacts to avoid injuries.. You can see Salah in Liverpool and with Egypt, you feel like there is two players with the same name. Same for so many players in Nigeria or other nations.
Talking about Nigeria, they will have a game tomorrow against Benin which is third in the group for the moment and Nigeria is expected to win and jump in front of them.

That’s one of the problems African teams have. They lack a sense of patriotism to their country and sometimes may feel as though they are doing the country a favour by playing for them. This is often the case because most of the players have dual citizenship.

isn't it obvious? You don't see the kind of energy and passion they display at there team when they are back to the national team. Maybe during the AFCON, we saw determination from the players and that's what affected the results they got even though they weren't playing that well. Look at Troost ekong for instance, dude is passionate regarding playing for Nigeria and you see how he takes the defence as his primary responsibility and still assist in the attack. In this last match against south Africa, I noticed that lookman wasn't playing like that Atalanta lookman that was damn aggressive. He was casual and missed lot's of chances. Maybe it's because they aren't being treated right by thier national League.

Another problem is that the players lack chemistry. They are not used to playing together and as such they lack a bond with each other. The Super Eagles for example have quality players who are individually top tier but they find it hard to come together and play as a team.

that's another advantage the south African side used against us. Most of them are product of there local leagues and have an understanding of thier kind of play but that's not the case with Nigeria. Most of them don't blend at all which causes them not to read when a certain player is making a particular move and what his intention his from such move. I just hope they win today's match so our hope can come stronger again.

[Adiljutt156]

The match is ongoing and South Africa is on the lead with 1-0. T. Zwane score the only goal in the match currently on the 29th minutes of the first half. Nigeria are gaining possession of the ball, but the South Africans are just waiting for any opportunity that they will create in order to score again.

It will be lovely if Nigeria can equalize this goal in the first half so that they will not play with much pressure in the second half. I don't like the view of the match...

Nigeria 0-1 S.Africa

That match was very interesting because both team played very well . From the South African side ,Zwane  did a goal on the 29 minutes and at that team South African team was in good position but slowly slowly match changed the side and Dele-Bashiru did a goal at 46 minutes . Score was level and no team won the match. I think Nigeria team played very well and defend very well and their shorts were mostly on target and the figure was 5 . The passes of Nigeria team were 482 and I am impressed by performance of Nigeria team . But they should work on their skills because they are lack in something and that's why they don't win the match. The captain of Nigeria is struggling and I think they will qualify for World Cup.

[Sexylizzy2813]

Super Eagles haven't been able to top their group in this World Cup qualification with Lesotho topping is something to show that what we expected of the Eagles is not what we're seeing. The draw against South Africa was disappointing to me because if we want to avoid being eliminated or not going to the world cup we have to at least have 6 pt out of the 3 games we played but now 3 games with 3 pt, I'd say Lesotho are better than the Eagles.
Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify. Is a must win for Nigeria, the boys need to put in their best and a better style of play to make the other opponent see that we're back on track, but can we still make it to the top of the group in the qualification?🤔

[Majestic-milf]

If you ask me, I'd say the Eagles take international games less important than they do at their clubs.

That's the problem with all African players that are playing in Europe in fact. They care a lot about their teams more than their nations. They make less efforts and contacts to avoid injuries.. You can see Salah in Liverpool and with Egypt, you feel like there is two players with the same name. Same for so many players in Nigeria or other nations.
Talking about Nigeria, they will have a game tomorrow against Benin which is third in the group for the moment and Nigeria is expected to win and jump in front of them.

One will say the clubs treat them better than their national teams and I'd have to agree because let's take Nigeria for instance, I don't know about the other countries, match bonuses and salaries are being owed the players, also when they get injured, they don't get enough treatment and are easily forgotten. So I feel most of these are reasons players( especially in Nigeria) put little to no effort when it comes to playing for their national teams.

[Stepstowealth]

Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify.

The first half ending with a score of one goal to Nigeria and two to Benin republic who were the team trailing. Nigeria have been playing and moving the ball around but we are not really showing our Attacking prowess, Our coach does not look technically sound, because what is his reason today for not starting Boniface? We finished second in the AFCON but we are struggling to qualify for the world cup, I blame the Nigerian football federation for send Poseiro away. Raphael Onyedika and Iwobi have been the best players from the first half. In the second half we need the coach to make some tactical changes because we need to start trying to get our equalizer from the moment the second half whistle is blown.

[Justbillywitt]

In tomorrow's game Nigeria has to win to have a much better chance of qualifying for the WC. Finidi has to make sure to grab this three points at all cost.

In the last game against South Africa, he choose not to play Victor Boniface among other top players citing a tactical decision. I hope we'd start seeing the results of those tactical decisions when Nigeria goes head to head with Benin tomorrow. We need to start putting our best foot forward if we still plan on going very far in the next world cup tournament.

I believe that African football is enroute to its peak we should be begin to compete actively for the world cup title itself rather than just do the bare minimum work to ace the qualifiers. We should do better, really.

If Nigeria fail to win tomorrow it will be very bad for the super eagles, I don't know what the coach is doing. Super eagles has lots of talents that should be winning games without difficulties. How can the coach not play a serial goal scorer like Victor Boniface, I was shocked when he was left out of the squad the last time they played South Africa.

 The coach has to use all his talent and make sure they qualify for the next world cup. Nigeria didn't go to the last world cup and it's a big disgrace to a country as big as Nigeria not to play in a world cup. It won't be nice if we fail to qualify for 2026 world cup again. I don't care whatever tactics the coach is talking about, but any tactics that will not involve our star players should be dropped. The coach is already making the fans lose hope in him by not utilizing Victor Boniface in his last match.

[Hyphen(-)]

Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify.

The first half ending with a score of one goal to Nigeria and two to Benin republic who were the team trailing. Nigeria have been playing and moving the ball around but we are not really showing our Attacking prowess, Our coach does not look technically sound, because what is his reason today for not starting Boniface? We finished second in the AFCON but we are struggling to qualify for the world cup, I blame the Nigerian football federation for send Poseiro away. Raphael Onyedika and Iwobi have been the best players from the first half. In the second half we need the coach to make some tactical changes because we need to start trying to get our equalizer from the moment the second half whistle is blown.

I am not confident about this new coach, his team formation dose not look matured, his ability to tactically coordinate his players is poor and his selection of players is not favorable.
In this match, I think he underrated the opponent that is why he set up with such formation and now that we have started losing 2-1 after we take the lead in the 27th minute, we are very poor defensively and we have conceded two goals just within 10 minutes.

Did you guys think we will qualify to the World Cup? Because we have drew all the three matches we have played so far, and we are about to lose or draw this one, and all the matches are winnable matches to a team like Nigeria.

[Lida93]

Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify.

The first half ending with a score of one goal to Nigeria and two to Benin republic who were the team trailing. Nigeria have been playing and moving the ball around but we are not really showing our Attacking prowess, Our coach does not look technically sound, because what is his reason today for not starting Boniface? We finished second in the AFCON but we are struggling to qualify for the world cup, I blame the Nigerian football federation for send Poseiro away. Raphael Onyedika and Iwobi have been the best players from the first half. In the second half we need the coach to make some tactical changes because we need to start trying to get our equalizer from the moment the second half whistle is blown.

I am not confident about this new coach, his team formation dose not look matured, his ability to tactically coordinate his players is poor and his selection of players is not favorable.
In this match, I think he underrated the opponent that is why he set up with such formation and now that we have started losing 2-1 after we take the lead in the 27th minute, we are very poor defensively and we have conceded two goals just within 10 minutes.

Did you guys think we will qualify to the World Cup? Because we have drew all the three matches we have played so far, and we are about to lose or draw this one, and all the matches are winnable matches to a team like Nigeria.

This game there's a lot of lack of urgency and intensity on the side of the Nigeria players, I mean was one of those fans that welcomed the appointment of Coach Finidi George but I seem to get disappointed with the results Nigeria team is getting in this world qualifier games drawing all the matches and currently struggling with Benin Republic which was supposed to be an added points with ease.There's no coordinated tactics, no ideas to effectively change results through creative substitutions and it's as though the job is too big for the Coach to handle. And this doesn't leave the players from the problem right now.

[adultcrypto]

If Nigeria fail to win tomorrow it will be very bad for the super eagles, I don't know what the coach is doing. Super eagles has lots of talents that should be winning games without difficulties. How can the coach not play a serial goal scorer like Victor Boniface, I was shocked when he was left out of the squad the last time they played South Africa.

I'm so disappointed at the Nigerian team and at rhe same time confused about whi to blame for this terrible performance today. Of all the teams in the world it is Benin Republic that is leading Nigeria by two goals to one with few minutes remaining. Its just annoying how Lesotho will top a group with Nigeria and South Africa present.

If Finidi George fails to take Nigeria to world Cup 2026, I string doubt he will remain as coach of the Super Eagles. This should be his major test and I really wished he is able to deliver because that group is soft for any serious team to qualify.

 

[Justbillywitt]

If Nigeria fail to win tomorrow it will be very bad for the super eagles, I don't know what the coach is doing. Super eagles has lots of talents that should be winning games without difficulties. How can the coach not play a serial goal scorer like Victor Boniface, I was shocked when he was left out of the squad the last time they played South Africa.

I'm so disappointed at the Nigerian team and at rhe same time confused about whi to blame for this terrible performance today. Of all the teams in the world it is Benin Republic that is leading Nigeria by two goals to one with few minutes remaining. Its just annoying how Lesotho will top a group with Nigeria and South Africa present.

If Finidi George fails to take Nigeria to world Cup 2026, I string doubt he will remain as coach of the Super Eagles. This should be his major test and I really wished he is able to deliver because that group is soft for any serious team to qualify.

 

I will blame the current state of the super eagles to the management of NFF, they politicize everything. Till today I can't still understand why they sacked the former coach and appoint Finidi George, a man who hasn't proven himself at any level of football management. Losing today's match was very disappointing. My advice to the management of the national team is to get rid of Finidi George immediately. They should act immediately to avoid the complete collapse of the national team. This was a team that got to the continental football final that was held earlier this year, so what's the problem now. Why can't they win their last two games? The answer is that there is now incompetent management in place.

[Upgrade00]

If Finidi George fails to take Nigeria to world Cup 2026, I string doubt he will remain as coach of the Super Eagles. This should be his major test and I really wished he is able to deliver because that group is soft for any serious team to qualify.

I don't think the nation would even wait till we miss out on qualification. If we miss World Cup for the second time it's already pointless changing coaches at the end when the damage is already done. The current output is unacceptable, this current squad can be managed much better.
The management may have empathy bacause he was just recently appointed but this is the point to deliver.

Time for us to start the calculations to know the odds of qualifying.

[Zanab247]

Super Eagles haven't been able to top their group in this World Cup qualification with Lesotho topping is something to show that what we expected of the Eagles is not what we're seeing. The draw against South Africa was disappointing to me because if we want to avoid being eliminated or not going to the world cup we have to at least have 6 pt out of the 3 games we played but now 3 games with 3 pt, I'd say Lesotho are better than the Eagles.
Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify. Is a must win for Nigeria, the boys need to put in their best and a better style of play to make the other opponent see that we're back on track, but can we still make it to the top of the group in the qualification?🤔

I guess their performance in this qualify to the world cup  competition is very poor, because they still remain low in their group table while other teams has increase to top in their group, which is the fear many super eagles fans have towards their team in this season.

Super eagles players has the opportunity to beat south Africa in their last game, but they missed it by struggle to equalized the goal in the second half that made their position to reduced to 5 position in their group table, and is not giving their coach Joy because this is his first world cup qualify competition to coach the super eagles.

There was a hope that super eagles will going to win today game to beat Benin to drop down their points, but they got a good opportunity that made them to secured 2 goals in the first half to lead super eagles 2:1, and they continue defending the 2 goals till the end of the game to secured, 3 points from super eagles.

[Majestic-milf]

 It's official. Nigeria have lost it. I'm sure eyes will be on the coach who hasn't been able to perform well since he was given the job. Drawing the first game and losing this second one is not a good thing to put on a resume.
 Nigeria only had one assignment today and that was to win the game and instead of winning, they had to lose and it was so disappointing that they took the lead as early as the 27th minutes. I wonder who all these nations are to be given Nigeria trouble and I'm beginning to think we should stop participating in competitions because it will always end up in either frustrating defeats or appalling draws.
See how they struggled to beat a weak side like Benin and I'm wondering if they can be able to do anything if they are paired against a side like Senegal or Cameroon. What will save them now if they couldn't defeat Benin? Will they play a return leg or what?

[Franctoshi]

If Finidi George fails to take Nigeria to world Cup 2026, I string doubt he will remain as coach of the Super Eagles. This should be his major test and I really wished he is able to deliver because that group is soft for any serious team to qualify.

I don't think the nation would even wait till we miss out on qualification. If we miss World Cup for the second time it's already pointless changing coaches at the end when the damage is already done. The current output is unacceptable, this current squad can be managed much better.
The management may have empathy bacause he was just recently appointed but this is the point to deliver.

Time for us to start the calculations to know the odds of qualifying.

But it will be somehow to even change another coach right now as Finidi George isn't giving us what we expected of him ,While Finidi George was with the Enyimba football club his performance was good, but I don't know if this is due to the fact he's still trying to get know this players in the SuperEagleteam,  However he should avoid some sort of experiment with this qualification game and work with those players and give us the desired result.

[Cityhunter34]

What a shock results from super Eagles players after their draw with south Africa few days ago they finally lost to Benin Republic today what a horrible performance from super Eagles, although one thing I always notice about super Eagles players is that anytime that will put our trust on them they normally find it difficult to win but any one that we see as the toughest is that one that they are going to win, however I think they need to improve in this there paterm of playing to avoid another lose again.

[Zlantann]

It's official. Nigeria have lost it. I'm sure eyes will be on the coach who hasn't been able to perform well since he was given the job. Drawing the first game and losing this second one is not a good thing to put on a resume.
 Nigeria only had one assignment today and that was to win the game and instead of winning, they had to lose and it was so disappointing that they took the lead as early as the 27th minutes. I wonder who all these nations are to be given Nigeria trouble and I'm beginning to think we should stop participating in competitions because it will always end up in either frustrating defeats or appalling draws.
See how they struggled to beat a weak side like Benin and I'm wondering if they can be able to do anything if they are paired against a side like Senegal or Cameroon. What will save them now if they couldn't defeat Benin? Will they play a return leg or what?

George Finidi, the new Super Eagles coach, was tasked with leading the Nigerian team to the World Cup. It now looks like the former Ajax international is not the right person for the job. He has always argued that he wanted the freedom to choose players and even went to the extent of rejecting the assistance of former Nigerian international Daniel Amokachi. The team showed some form of improvement in the game against South Africa, especially in the second half but today's game result shows that the Super Eagles is far from regaining the reputation they gained during the 1994 World Cup when they surprised the world. Now, their fate in qualifying for the World Cup depends on the performance of other teams. I wonder if Nigerians will be patient enough to strike with Finidi even if he fails to lead the team to the World Cup  

[Marykeller]

Today Benin who are sitting at number 3 of the group will host the Super Eagles who haven't won a single game and I think we have to win this game if not we have to go back to our calculator to start counting points of other countries to see how we can qualify.

The first half ending with a score of one goal to Nigeria and two to Benin republic who were the team trailing. Nigeria have been playing and moving the ball around but we are not really showing our Attacking prowess, Our coach does not look technically sound, because what is his reason today for not starting Boniface? We finished second in the AFCON but we are struggling to qualify for the world cup, I blame the Nigerian football federation for send Poseiro away. Raphael Onyedika and Iwobi have been the best players from the first half. In the second half we need the coach to make some tactical changes because we need to start trying to get our equalizer from the moment the second half whistle is blown.

I am not confident about this new coach, his team formation dose not look matured, his ability to tactically coordinate his players is poor and his selection of players is not favorable.
In this match, I think he underrated the opponent that is why he set up with such formation and now that we have started losing 2-1 after we take the lead in the 27th minute, we are very poor defensively and we have conceded two goals just within 10 minutes.

Did you guys think we will qualify to the World Cup? Because we have drew all the three matches we have played so far, and we are about to lose or draw this one, and all the matches are winnable matches to a team like Nigeria.

With the 2-1 loss of the Super Eagles, it is gradually forming into a reality that the Super Eagles may not be qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. This is the 4th match of the Super Eagles, and what they make out of it, is 3 points(3 draws and a loss match), no single win.

What I will just say about this CAF World Cup qualification toward the Super Eagles is that it will completely be a show of shame if, at the end of the World Cup qualification matches, the Super Eagles don't appear in the Group C top table after playing up to 10 good matches(6 more matches remaining to play by next year)