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

[Hewlet]

When I saw these countries in the same group with Nigeria in the ongoing World Cup qualification matches, I was very confident that Nigeria will come out at the top of the group because most of the names I saw there are not footballing countries. Despite that, Nigeria is the second best country in Africa as long as this football is concerned for this season after the AFCON. I do not actually believe that Nigeria will be struggling to beat this contest, but unfortunately we are caught by the reality.

the thing about the Nigerian super eagles players is that they don't know the advantage they have as a superior in that group and or maybe they knew it and allowed it to get a total grip on them I can't even begin to explain that a team that went to the AFCON finals and that has players that are doing too well for themselves in Thier individual clubs can't even win a single match after playing four consecutive games. You draw against south Africa and allow Benin republic to win you? How is that even possible for crying out loud? And the funny thing is that they even played well in the first half and become too comfortable and casual untill thier opponent starting blending into the game and snatched the slightest opportunity they had. It's just a shame that we don't even know why we are called the giant of Africa. At some point and don't even want to blame to coach cause they players already know the importance of playing in the world cup but choose to play nonsense and now the coach receives all the blames for it.

What I do not actually understand is why Nigeria dismissed their coach that led them to the first runner up in the just concluded afcon competition. Although I did not have much to say about the current coach of the super Eagles because I was not able to watch him during his time of football. But with the hand writing on the wall, it seems that he is not acceptable by the majority of the super Eagles players.

I thought it was based on mutual agreement that he's going to work with the Nigerian national team till the of the AFCON and that's going to be the end of his contract. Finidi George was actively serving with the then coach throughout the AFCON and I guess they felt he had what it takes to lead a national team. I once thought that getting a local coach to take care of our team would be the best option but when you're considering the level of experience foreign coaches have compared to our local coach, you can't help but wish that our old coach is still the one that's in charge of our national team or even if it's still gernot roh, it would have been better. Didn't you see how he led the underdog of a Benin team to win us as if we are just anyhow team?

[Smartvirus]

Nigeria had to suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of Benin and all Finidi George had to say was " players shouldn't throw in the towel now" and I'm asking myself if he'd be able to fight or do anything if he were in their shoes?
He has just proven that it's not all football players who end up being good coaches because up until now, I ask myself if this man knows what he's doing. No tactics to speak of, and although he's still fresh at his job, there hasn't been any big thing to show for his time.

That’s why, it’s an easy take in when a foreign national is been brought in to man the job of managing the Nigerian national team. We might have some good players but they aren’t a team yet, they aren’t playing like a team and aren’t enthusiastic enough towards playing for Nigeria and winning. I just have to say this because, the fans come with so much hope and energy in them boys only to be failed every time.

As for Finidi, it’s agreeable his got no tactics, he just throws in the boys and expects a good result pending his boys. The super eagles isn’t that team yet, his got to understand that and see the much work that needs to be doing in building a team with these boys. Ensure they have a synergy of energy and something could come out of them.

[Majestic-milf]

As for Finidi, it’s agreeable his got no tactics, he just throws in the boys and expects a good result pending his boys. The super eagles isn’t that team yet, his got to understand that and see the much work that needs to be doing in building a team with these boys. Ensure they have a synergy of energy and something could come out of them.

 Who knows if this is the reason Daniel Amokachi refused to serve as his assistant because he feels he knows better than the Finidi and I've not really observed the guy if he had ever coached but maybe he could do better than what George is doing now. The NFF are angry, calling for his head when in the first place they were the ones that put him there. If anything, they too should be blamed if the Super Eagles don't qualify for world cup.
 Last one being hosted by Qatar, they missed out and this one again? Is it that there should no longer be a Super Eagles national team or that the zeal to play for the motherland has died?
 

[Sexylizzy2813]

why is this coach acting as if he has an internal problem with some players? At this point I don't see Finidi George as the Super Eagles head coach and we don't have one at the moment, we only have a coach in the media not on the football pitch, he talks too much but no tactics to make use of.

I think I was among those who were in support of him being given the job, I now regret it because he is clearly unqualified for the pressure that comes with the job and handling all these talented players. We almost had it, the perfect team, but this present team under Finidi George is not different from the group of boys who play ball each day on the field in my street.

He was a great player back in his days and we can't say because of that, that's why they gave him the job. Take a look at Benin, the former coach of the Super Eagles Genort Rohr is causing much damage to the team he was building before they sacked him. I believe some Nigerians who wanted Rohr out are regretting it. From how it is I feel Finidi George is only going to lead the Super Eagles out of the qualification, we don't have the chance of getting to the 2nd position not to talk of the number spot. If Genort Rohr was having these sets of players I believe we won't have been battling with 5th position, George just ruined one of the best squad we have.

We have no business in the World Cup; there is no need to spend more money on designing a new jersey, flight tickets, hotel accommodations, feeding, and all that for us to go play this embarrassing game in front of the world.

Is best to take it that we're not going to qualify than having it in mind but at the end it will hurt us badly. I think the NFF are to blame for all these, I don't know if they do some interview on those applying for this position or they do it base on "I sabi you ", politics also has taken away better coaches that should have gotten us to that greater height. If we don't go to the World Cup I'll feel bad because it won't be fun if other African countries are there and we the giant of Africa ain't there, it will be a shame.

[Igebotz]

That’s why, it’s an easy take in when a foreign national is been brought in to man the job of managing the Nigerian national team. We might have some good players but they aren’t a team yet, they aren’t playing like a team and aren’t enthusiastic enough towards playing for Nigeria and winning. I just have to say this because, the fans come with so much hope and energy in them boys only to be failed every time.

As for Finidi, it’s agreeable his got no tactics, he just throws in the boys and expects a good result pending his boys. The super eagles isn’t that team yet, his got to understand that and see the much work that needs to be doing in building a team with these boys. Ensure they have a synergy of energy and something could come out of them.

The team has failed to beat Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and the Benin Republic in what was supposed to be one of the easiest qualifiers groups; the boys literally have nothing to do at the World Cup because I don't see the team beating any of these teams in the second leg; if we couldn't do it at home, what hope do they have playing away to those teams?

Our problem began when priorities were given to players playing in some of the clubs abroad while ignoring our home-based players who always give their all every time they play. The last time we qualified for the World Cup, we had more than 40% of home-based players; today, we have less than 10%.

There is too much politics surrounding the team, and the coaches are not given the freedom to execute their jobs properly. The team lacks creative midfielders, and there are several good ones playing in the local league, but no one is being called up.

[Alpha Marine]

I think the NFF are to blame for all these, I don't know if they do some interview on those applying for this position or they do it based on "I sabi you ", politics also has taken away better coaches that should have gotten us to that greater height. If we don't go to the World Cup I'll feel bad because it won't be fun if other African countries are there and we the giant of Africa ain't there, it will be a shame.

With African football, it's mostly about politics. There's no way they'll tell me the football federation cannot sit down and join heads together to pick a perfect coach that can bring out the best of the players Nigeria have. I've been saying it before and I'll say it again, Nigeria may not have a squad that can compete with the best national teams in the world, but they have a team that can dominate games and win World Cup qualifiers comfortably in my opinion.

I believe African teams underestimate the importance of a coach, that's why they always play politics with these things. When a team has a good manager, then 70% of that team's problem is solved, especially a team that has half-decent players.
Nigerian's problem is not the players. We saw how a different coach changed things around Ivory Coast in the same tournament with the same set of players. It all depends on the coach.

[Marykeller]

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)

The supper eagles I use to know is totally different from what I'm seeing now because there performance this time is very poor, I actually do not understand what is wrong with the players because they now find it very difficult to win the smaller countries they use to and with the look of things if they continue this way they may not be able to qualify for the world Cup and if they miss the next world Cup that means people will seriously lose hope on them, funny enough the supper eagles was even the first that scored on the 27 minutes of the first half but they could not maintain or defend there goal and at the end they lose 2:1, I never believe that today's match will end this way because the supper eagles always have better performance than the Benin team.

The Super Eagles had a better performance against the Benin Republic, should be in their last two meetings not this current one though, cos their performance this time was an average score. Both teams had an equal(50/50) ball possession in the match

This is the first time, Benin Republic is winning over the Super Eagles in World Cup qualification. In the previous two matches in AFCON, before this few days back match, the Benin Republic lost to the Super Eagles 0-1 around 2021, and in 2019 the Super Eagles won the Benin Republic 2-1 at home. All these matches won by the Super Eagles are AFCON matches

[Sexylizzy2813]

I think the NFF are to blame for all these, I don't know if they do some interview on those applying for this position or they do it based on "I sabi you ", politics also has taken away better coaches that should have gotten us to that greater height. If we don't go to the World Cup I'll feel bad because it won't be fun if other African countries are there and we the giant of Africa ain't there, it will be a shame.

I believe African teams underestimate the importance of a coach, that's why they always play politics with these things. When a team has a good manager, then 70% of that team's problem is solved, especially a team that has half-decent players.
Nigerian's problem is not the players. We saw how a different coach changed things around Ivory Coast in the same tournament with the same set of players. It all depends on the coach.

Not that other African countries don't play politics with their national team but they do hide it by not letting the public know and no one will question their affairs concerning the team, at the end they still have a better team to dominate other African countries. Coming to Nigeria, we take politics as if without it we can't move forward, a coach can not make his decision as a coach and if you go against their will before the next morning they have already planned on how to remove you and replace you with a new manager, that's one reason why we lack better coach for the Super Eagles.
We talk about these things because it concerns the Super Eagles that we love to watch but what about our league? Some days back in a league game between ENYIMBAvsRANGERS ,the chaos was much and you say the league developers are doing well? No, for things to go well for the Eagles they need to start from the league first.

[Igebotz]

With African football, it's mostly about politics. There's no way they'll tell me the football federation cannot sit down and join heads together to pick a perfect coach that can bring out the best of the players Nigeria have. I've been saying it before and I'll say it again, Nigeria may not have a squad that can compete with the best national teams in the world, but they have a team that can dominate games and win World Cup qualifiers comfortably in my opinion.

Sacking Persiro to hire a low-level manager was a bad idea after he led the team to the AFCON final; his only crime was failing to win the trophy, but on the bright side, he was developing good chemistry and getting the team to work again; he needed more time with the team, but as usual, the NFF would play politics. They took him out and hired someone with little to no experience.

They needed a "Yes sir" manager who would select the players they recommended and split salary and bonuses with them. Persiro was not making things any easy on them.

 Did you listen to Ndidi's pre-match conference comments? Who did we ended up with such a Captain.

[Mr.suevie]

With African football, it's mostly about politics. There's no way they'll tell me the football federation cannot sit down and join heads together to pick a perfect coach that can bring out the best of the players Nigeria have. I've been saying it before and I'll say it again, Nigeria may not have a squad that can compete with the best national teams in the world, but they have a team that can dominate games and win World Cup qualifiers comfortably in my opinion.

Sacking Persiro to hire a low-level manager was a bad idea after he led the team to the AFCON final; his only crime was failing to win the trophy, but on the bright side, he was developing good chemistry and getting the team to work again; he needed more time with the team, but as usual, the NFF would play politics. They took him out and hired someone with little to no experience.

They needed a "Yes sir" manager who would select the players they recommended and split salary and bonuses with them. Persiro was not making things any easy on them.

 Did you listen to Ndidi's pre-match conference comments? Who did we ended up with such a Captain.

At the long run of everything it's still boils down to one same problem that this country is facing and that's same old corruption, I mean it's basically the moved they did with sacking persiro as the head coach because for a little moment there Nigerians were actually kinda confident with the super eagles playing because they developed some kind of rhythm with the old coach and most importantly they were getting results which is the most important and vital thing as a country head coach but the NFF had to invented because of the final victory defeat which obviously should have handled with a positive view.

[snipie]

South Africa, Morocco and Cameroon will play later. I expect them to win with a possibility of a draw for Cameroon.

South Africa won 3 - 1 against Mozambique. Both teams scored two goals in the first two minutes of the game
Congo 0 - 6 Morocco. That was a lot of emotional damage there!
Angola 1 - 1 Cameroon. As I expected, Cameroon got a draw after being in the lead in the first half of the game and the first minutes of the second half.. Cameroon was not an exception of this round with several disappointment.

[Adiljutt156]

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.

Congratulations to Benin Republic on their win. They deserve it. We have been told that it is who wants it bad enough that wins. From their equalizer, anyone can see that it was the fault of the defenders. Where were they when Nwabali needed them. If they hadn't left their positions, the goal keeper would have been so exposed that he had to come out of his post thereby giving their opponent the a chance to strike from that distance.

I agree with you. Benin team won the match by 2-0 score and the players of Benin team played excellent and won by margin of 1 goal.  Onyedika did first goal of the match and he did goal at the 27 minutes after the start of  match and Dossou did second goal of the  match and he made match interesting and that time score was level and no team were looking in good condition but Mounie did third goal of the match and Benin team became more strong and they won by 2-0 goals and  Nigeria team could only 1 goal in the match and lose the match due bad strategy and lack of activity of mind . They did many mistakes from which opponent team got huge benefit and did 2 goals when required. That is first win of Benin team because in past Nigeria record is very strong and both teams played 4 matches and from which Nigeria won the 3 matches.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

As for Finidi, it’s agreeable his got no tactics, he just throws in the boys and expects a good result pending his boys. The super eagles isn’t that team yet, his got to understand that and see the much work that needs to be doing in building a team with these boys. Ensure they have a synergy of energy and something could come out of them.

 Who knows if this is the reason Daniel Amokachi refused to serve as his assistant because he feels he knows better than the Finidi and I've not really observed the guy if he had ever coached but maybe he could do better than what George is doing now. The NFF are angry, calling for his head when in the first place they were the ones that put him there. If anything, they too should be blamed if the Super Eagles don't qualify for world cup.
 Last one being hosted by Qatar, they missed out and this one again? Is it that there should no longer be a Super Eagles national team or that the zeal to play for the motherland has died?
 

I am really unimpressed with what I am seeing at the qualification stage, The Nigerian team is above the level of disgrace they are acquiring in this qualification stage and more disheartening is the fact that it is about the second time in a row that they are failing to qualify for the world cup. The class of players that are present in this qualifiers round are top notch and I wonder what George is actually doing with them.

The height of his poor performance was observed days ago when they lost to ordinary Benin republic. Unless the head coach improves in his performance going forward, I think this job is way bigger than George, if he can't perform good as anticipated with this squad, then his experience is questionable. I believe the reason for his ascending that role is his earlier exploits at Enyimba FC. I hope he validates the hopes of his employers and our hopes of watching the team play in Canada 2026

[Majestic-milf]

I am really unimpressed with what I am seeing at the qualification stage, The Nigerian team is above the level of disgrace they are acquiring in this qualification stage and more disheartening is the fact that it is about the second time in a row that they are failing to qualify for the world cup. The class of players that are present in this qualifiers round are top notch and I wonder what George is actually doing with them.

The height of his poor performance was observed days ago when they lost to ordinary Benin republic. Unless the head coach improves in his performance going forward, I think this job is way bigger than George, if he can't perform good as anticipated with this squad, then his experience is questionable. I believe the reason for his ascending that role is his earlier exploits at Enyimba FC. I hope he validates the hopes of his employers and our hopes of watching the team play in Canada 2026

I remember when Nigeria was always bringing foreign coaches to the team, many complained they weren't focusing on home based coaches. now that the NFF has brought in one, he can't fully deliver and I'm asking now if they (the NFF) ought to be blamed for their choices of before.
If Nigeria doesn't qualify for the World Cup, and these other smaller countries do, it will be a big slap seeing as they are more invested in playing in that tournament more than the Nigerians. to be frank, I'd even prefer they don't make it after all, so one can focus on the tournament than having to be restless knowing that they are in the game.

[Adiljutt156]

That match was not interesting match because match was one sided and Japan team won the match easily by 5-0 goals. Japan team players played very well and they did excellent goals for the team againt Syria  team.Ueda did first goal at the 13 minutes after starting the match, Doan did  second goal and at the minutes of 19 ,Krouma did third goal and at that time their position was strong and they were close to win because Syria team did not resist, they have low confidence and they did work on their team building. Nobody knows how to win the match ,every player is playing individually and by that performance team could not win the match. Japan shots were 21 in number and in comparison the shots of Syria team were 7 And Japan shots on target were 13 but Syria shots on target were 0.

[SatoPrincess]

I don’t understand this narrative that Finidi George is not a good manager for the Super Eagles. The fans and NFF came to this conclusion after just 2 games? How come one of our own isn’t good enough to coach the national team. A couple of hours ago, news broke out that the NFF is looking to appoint a technical adviser to “assist” Finidi George. The way I see it, the NFF is not confident in the ability of a local manager and will look for any excuse to hire a foreign manager.

[Stepstowealth]

I don’t understand this narrative that Finidi George is not a good manager for the Super Eagles. The fans and NFF came to this conclusion after just 2 games? How come one of our own isn’t good enough to coach the national team.

If one of our own has been given the opportunity to prove that he can handle the job and he has failed, we do not need to coat things with sugar in criticizing him because he is just one of our own. The two games that Nigerians are judging his performance with were very important games and games that were expected that we should win judging from the performance that we had in the afcon. Finidi George did not do well tactically in those games that we should have won, he cannot take us through the group stage even if we qualify for the World Cup.

[Mr.suevie]

I don’t understand this narrative that Finidi George is not a good manager for the Super Eagles. The fans and NFF came to this conclusion after just 2 games? How come one of our own isn’t good enough to coach the national team. A couple of hours ago, news broke out that the NFF is looking to appoint a technical adviser to “assist” Finidi George. The way I see it, the NFF is not confident in the ability of a local manager and will look for any excuse to hire a foreign manager.

That's how fans and spectators tend to behave and beside you can't really expect them not to be that impatient knowing how slim the chances that super eagles won't qualify for the tournament if they continue to be in this bad form. Nigerians are just agitated by their slim chances of qualifications, that's all and nothing more and I believe this isn't like a club side management that you get to give the coach long period to work things out

[Fiatless]

I don’t understand this narrative that Finidi George is not a good manager for the Super Eagles. The fans and NFF came to this conclusion after just 2 games? How come one of our own isn’t good enough to coach the national team. A couple of hours ago, news broke out that the NFF is looking to appoint a technical adviser to “assist” Finidi George. The way I see it, the NFF is not confident in the ability of a local manager and will look for any excuse to hire a foreign manager.

Nigerians are very impatient people who want results immediately. Finidi has been in charge of four games where the Super Eagles lost two and drew two (two games were when he was acting coach). I think he needs more time to get results but the NFF wants to do everything to make Nigeria qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Maybe they have discovered that Finidi is not technically sound, so he needs a technical adviser who will be in charge of analyzing games and advising him on the strategy to adopt.

I told someone that it is better for Nigeria not to qualify for the World Cup but to use the available time to build the national team than to go with a weak them and get disgraced. Finidi should be given the support to build the team so that Nigeria can have a regular and strong team

[Agbe]

That's how fans and spectators tend to behave and beside you can't really expect them not to be that impatient knowing how slim the chances that super eagles won't qualify for the tournament if they continue to be in this bad form. Nigerians are just agitated by their slim chances of qualifications, that's all and nothing more and I believe this isn't like a club side management that you get to give the coach long period to work things out

As for me it is even better the Super Eagles will not qualify for the world cup because even if they qualified they will not do well and give the fans heart attack and if they are not there we all know that they are not there so there will no disappointment again. And as it is Super Eagles are out of the game because their chances to qualify was for Zimbabwe to win South Africa but South Africa won them with 2-1 and I don't think Nigeria will win their last game. So automatically Nigeria is out. Let's choose another country football team to support in the world cup.