African Football Discussion Thread {Male & Female} Current Topic: 👉 WAFCON

[Amphenomenon]

Super eagles were lucky enough to have gotten a point from Benin. I mean they were begging for draw. Which is very terrible, considering the amount of quality players they have. At this point I don’t know who to be blamed for their poor performance. Could it be the managers, or maybe the players lack composure. They don’t play team football, it’s more of individual’s effort. In their perspective teams, they tend to play well. But when it comes to country they struggle. If we’re being honest. Benin was a better side to have won that game. But their up front was all average players. The NFF should step up their efforts to see the super eagles at their highest level.

The Super Eagles team ate often wasteful to be honest is not like they were begging for a draw and also our Midfield has always been lacking creativity for me I thinks Iwobi is playing out of position since he's not playing as a midfielder in his club.  Austin Equavon needs to start playing in his position and alsi make the players to reliable with their finishing which is needed here.

I think Okoye needs to be given an  opportunity also in the goalie position especially since we have already qualified more players should be given opportunity in order to challenged our current starting XI, thereby making it known to themselves that they need to perform well to often have their position secured on the team.

[Spaceman1000$]

How can the Super Eagles be struggling and losing the first half with this quality of players in the lineup. I don’t get it. A team with this quality of players shouldn’t be finding themselves on the losing end of the ball. I was expecting the Super Eagles to dominate the game, right now we are hoping for an equalizer. The game is still in the first half, a lot can happen before 90 minutes. I can only pray that Marvelockg‘s prediction of a 3-1 victory comes true.

Super eagles were lucky enough to have gotten a point from Benin. I mean they were begging for draw. Which is very terrible, considering the amount of quality players they have. At this point I don’t know who to be blamed for their poor performance. Could it be the managers, or maybe the players lack composure. They don’t play team football, it’s more of individual’s effort. In their perspective teams, they tend to play well. But when it comes to country they struggle. If we’re being honest. Benin was a better side to have won that game. But their up front was all average players. The NFF should step up their efforts to see the super eagles at their highest level.

Some days are like that in football, even Real Madrid with all the big players they have, they still lose or draw some matches against smaller teams, don't forget that the Benin coach is Gernot Rohr, who has coached the super Eagles for a good number of years, so understands how the super Eagles players approach each game and their playing pattern, if not for the individual brilliant of some few players like Victor semen who actually saved the day for Nigeria, Benin Republic almost won that game. But even if they had lost that game,  Nigeria would still have qualified.

[buwaytress]

I don't care what you guys think. I'm with Rruchi man. An upset is always a thing of beauty ;)Looks like the bad results from CONMEBOL have even crept into AFCON! Can't believe I've been missing out, if not to bet, then at least to enjoy some spectacle.

Ivory Coast losing not really an upset though is it now?

P.S. South Sudan won, and with 3 goals. Does anyone recall what the odds were for that? They're a team I always want to win, albeit for nostalgic reasons that have no foundation other than personal sentiment.

[Fiatless]

Qualifying for the AFCON is not an excuse for the poor performance of the Super eagles in my own opinion. There was no excuse of playing safe since they have already qualified because The Super eagles is a great team among other African country teams so they should have that at the back of their mind and make sure they give in their best in all matches even if they're playing against a lesser country or a superior country. The Super eagles should understand that Nigerians always show unanimous support to them so they need to know that as they're playing, there are people who expect them to always play their best and get good results. Gernot Rohr is a tactical coach no doubt but the Super eagles is bigger than the Benin Republic team to be struggling to get a draw against them. Austin Equavon is really doing a great job for the Super eagles, I commend his efforts in making the Super eagles great again.

In sports sometimes you win and in some cases you lose. Did you watch the game between Israel and France? The game ended in a draw but normally most gamblers would have bet that the French team would beat them mercilessly. We will not stop supporting the Super Eagles no matter the results we get from games.

I am not even expecting the Super Eagles to win their next game against Rwanda. Already some players have started leaving for their clubs, so we might end up seeing some new faces in the squad. There are reports that Ola Aina will not be available for the game. The most important thing is that we have qualified for the Nations Cup. Out target now should be preparation for the competition and World Cup qualifiers.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Qualifying for the AFCON is not an excuse for the poor performance of the Super eagles in my own opinion. There was no excuse of playing safe since they have already qualified because The Super eagles is a great team among other African country teams so they should have that at the back of their mind and make sure they give in their best in all matches even if they're playing against a lesser country or a superior country.

You don't do that when you have qualified or have a better chance of qualifying, some key players are to be rested or not played for full 90mins before you lose players to injuries that'll disturb the formation and player selection for the next game.

The team has qualified that all that matters, Benin wasn't up to to the standard of the Nigerian national team but let us not forget that Benin has won 2 match (just as we have too) in the tournament and our third win was gifted to us and we didn't merit that (against Libya). Osimhen scoring was my highlight although that guy can miss some clear chances.



In other discussion: The games for today are over and we have have just two games tomorrow to round up Game week 5.

[SatoPrincess]

It was a disappointing performance from the Super Eagles. I don’t know which match you watched but it’s definitely not the same one I saw. What’s so beautiful about how our team played? I said in my post yesterday that Nigeria cannot be trusted to play beautiful football. It’s annoying to see that these professional players with accolades all over Europe cannot connect simple passes. The Super Eagles clearly lack chemistry and are not capable of playing in sync. That’s why they cannot cover for the weakness of their teammates in the game. Austin’s Eguaveon should double their training sessions, these players have to learn to play with each other.

What you you expect from a team that has already qualified for the African Cup of Nations? Besides the match contributing to their global ranking, the match is not that important. These players have clubs and we shouldn't expect them to risk having injuries for nothing. They were not impressive but at least they got one point. Be reminded that we played against former Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr.

So because they have qualified for the AFCON, they should play nonsense. You can as well say Nigerians should have watched the match or gone to the stadium to show their support since the Super Eagles have already qualified. The kind of excuses you guys make sometimes for the national team are unbelievable. If the players are so concerned about sustaining injuries in the international break that it’s affecting their performance for their country side then they shouldn’t have come in the first place.

[Smartvirus]

So because they have qualified for the AFCON, they should play nonsense. You can as well say Nigerians should have watched the match or gone to the stadium to show their support since the Super Eagles have already qualified. The kind of excuses you guys make sometimes for the national team are unbelievable. If the players are so concerned about sustaining injuries in the international break that it’s affecting their performance for their country side then they shouldn’t have come in the first place.

You seem to be the one person that shares my disgust with the Nigerian national team, even though I’m a Nigerian, I can’t say I’ve ever been impressed with the way they played. Not like we don’t have good quality in the team but, I find them being too good to play you know, especially the boys playing in European teams. There is always an ego about them and as much as I wouldn’t blame them for having it, I really do hope to enjoy nothing but the best of their plays each time I come up to the TV for a match. They can’t be unserious on the pitch, we are rooting for them not to just entertain us but, give us some sense of pride.

[Obim34]

So because they have qualified for the AFCON, they should play nonsense. You can as well say Nigerians should have watched the match or gone to the stadium to show their support since the Super Eagles have already qualified. The kind of excuses you guys make sometimes for the national team are unbelievable. If the players are so concerned about sustaining injuries in the international break that it’s affecting their performance for their country side then they shouldn’t have come in the first place.

You seem to be the one person that shares my disgust with the Nigerian national team, even though I’m a Nigerian, I can’t say I’ve ever been impressed with the way they played. Not like we don’t have good quality in the team but, I find them being too good to play you know, especially the boys playing in European teams. There is always an ego about them and as much as I wouldn’t blame them for having it, I really do hope to enjoy nothing but the best of their plays each time I come up to the TV for a match. They can’t be unserious on the pitch, we are rooting for them not to just entertain us but, give us some sense of pride.

What seems to be the problem? Our players may not be the best but they try as much to win all fixtures, they have never been lazy on the pitch or made any remark that  should define them as being prideful.This same issue of pride was also what stir in the anger of Osimhen against the X coach that made him make some statement on the internet, instead of just exaggerating the whole scenario due to lack of efficiency from the team, we just have to applaud the little and hope for more to come.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

You seem to be the one person that shares my disgust with the Nigerian national team, even though I’m a Nigerian, I can’t say I’ve ever been impressed with the way they played. Not like we don’t have good quality in the team but, I find them being too good to play you know, especially the boys playing in European teams. There is always an ego about them and as much as I wouldn’t blame them for having it, I really do hope to enjoy nothing but the best of their plays each time I come up to the TV for a match. They can’t be unserious on the pitch, we are rooting for them not to just entertain us but, give us some sense of pride.

Something about the boys that we seem to ignore is the fact that most of them don't play in the same league or clubs. They're being taught a different philosophy of the game at their various league/clubs so we can't expect them to just abandon all they have been taught to learn a new one from the manager.

Some players were trained with high press while others were taught with playing form the back, long pass etc. For me I don't care how they play but what I want is results. Play poor, don't dominate games that's not a problem but you see when you don't win games that should be easy on paper then I begin to have issues with the players. With time though I think the team will understand themselves better when they get use to the new coach.



We have just two games today and we'll round up Game week 5. What are your predictions for the game?

[Mate2237]

Ghana has failed to qualify I. The 2025 African Cup Nation. Ghana was one thing f the strongest team in Africa but the Hero of the Black Stars has fallen. And a question is asked, will the AFCON interesting without the Black Stars? Oh yes. It will be. Ghana has won African Cup Nations 4 consecutive times. 1963, 1965, 1978 & 1982 and after those Victories, the Black Stars were good in the field but recently, they are not doing well again. In 2021, they were knockout from the group stage. In 2023, they were knockout from the group stage and in  2025 tournament, they were not qualified to play the match.



In the Match yesterday with Angola, Ghana tried their best to win the game but men Angola team was on fire that even the goalkeeper of Ghana that saved them. Those guys were very smart on the field. They were always at the goal area of Ghana with the ball. But the keeper tried.

[SatoPrincess]

Something about the boys that we seem to ignore is the fact that most of them don't play in the same league or clubs. They're being taught a different philosophy of the game at their various league/clubs so we can't expect them to just abandon all they have been taught to learn a new one from the manager.

Some players were trained with high press while others were taught with playing form the back, long pass etc. For me I don't care how they play but what I want is results. Play poor, don't dominate games that's not a problem but you see when you don't win games that should be easy on paper then I begin to have issues with the players. With time though I think the team will understand themselves better when they get use to the new coach.

I’m not unaware of the differences between club quality and national team quality. I know  that the players play more club games than national games so they are more used to their club teammates and tactics than their national team. Just look at many goals had Osimhen and Ademola scored in their club sides before the international break. My anger is that thr Super Eagles players were too nonchalant in this game, they didn’t press as much and didn’t look they wanted to win.

[Abu-Naim]

Ghana has failed to qualify I. The 2025 African Cup Nation. Ghana was one thing f the strongest team in Africa but the Hero of the Black Stars has fallen. And a question is asked, will the AFCON interesting without the Black Stars? Oh yes. It will be. Ghana has won African Cup Nations 4 consecutive times. 1963, 1965, 1978 & 1982 and after those Victories, the Black Stars were good in the field but recently, they are not doing well again. In 2021, they were knockout from the group stage. In 2023, they were knockout from the group stage and in  2025 tournament, they were not qualified to play the match.



In the Match yesterday with Angola, Ghana tried their best to win the game but men Angola team was on fire that even the goalkeeper of Ghana that saved them. Those guys were very smart on the field. They were always at the goal area of Ghana with the ball. But the keeper tried.

The banter between the Ganians and Nigerians about football is here now since the Black Stars of Ghana despite their mouth and the big players they claimed to have has failed to qualify to the AFCON 2025, it means they are not too good enough this time to be compared to other teams.

But I was really shocked as I see the notification in my all-football app that the Black Stars of Ghana did not qualify to the AFCON 2025. I went further to check their team, and after seeing the squad they have, I have to blame them for not making it because they happen to be in a group that looks very easy to qualify with maximum points because it is only Angola that looks very strong in the team; others are Sudan and Niger which on a normal ground Ghana team should have eliminated or be defeated in any game they played.
Nevertheless, one big threat is out of the list of the favorites to win the AFCON 2025, now we have other teams like Mali, S/Africa, Egypt, Morroco, and Nigeria among the teams we should be expecting to win the competition.

[EL MOHA]

Something about the boys that we seem to ignore is the fact that most of them don't play in the same league or clubs. They're being taught a different philosophy of the game at their various league/clubs so we can't expect them to just abandon all they have been taught to learn a new one from the manager.

Some players were trained with high press while others were taught with playing form the back, long pass etc. For me I don't care how they play but what I want is results. Play poor, don't dominate games that's not a problem but you see when you don't win games that should be easy on paper then I begin to have issues with the players. With time though I think the team will understand themselves better when they get use to the new coach.

Seriously there is lack of cohesion in the team and that is definitely influenced by the different type of playing pattern that the boys are used, look at the likes of Boniface and Iwobi if you watch them in their club side you will notice they usually have this freedom more than they do at the national team. The player which you will find this formation or current style of play not suiting the most is Boniface because he wouldn’t get that much freedom coming into the midfield and picking the balls himself, so playing him as a lone striker that he plays in the national team wouldn’t work.

I was actually telling someone that the reason why we even made it to the finals last tournament was simply because of Pesiro tactics which was to play low block football and it worked not until the final where we had tired legs, for me we should forget the fancy football and focus on the results. Last game pointed out the importance of Samuel Ajayi in that backline he definitely compliments the other defenders and for now without injury we need to stick with him.

In the Match yesterday with Angola, Ghana tried their best to win the game but men Angola team was on fire that even the goalkeeper of Ghana that saved them. Those guys were very smart on the field. They were always at the goal area of Ghana with the ball. But the keeper tried.

This is what they usually say that the mighty has fallen, over the last few years the Ghanaian national team have seriously been in trouble and they haven’t shown any improvement, their group stage knockout of the last AFCON tournament was something I think they will have to pick from but they didn’t, last international break they were actually booed by the fans and then now this, it’s sad for a footballing nation like this to fall like this. But regardless of the black stay poor performance I think we need to give credit to Angola who have been improving in recent times, yesterday they were playing excellent, you will rarely see African teams playing fluid football like they do, the only team currently that edges them in better football in Africa is Senegal

[Marvelockg]

Ghana has failed to qualify I. The 2025 African Cup Nation. Ghana was one thing f the strongest team in Africa but the Hero of the Black Stars has fallen. And a question is asked, will the AFCON interesting without the Black Stars? Oh yes. It will be. Ghana has won African Cup Nations 4 consecutive times. 1963, 1965, 1978 & 1982 and after those Victories, the Black Stars were good in the field but recently, they are not doing well again. In 2021, they were knockout from the group stage. In 2023, they were knockout from the group stage and in  2025 tournament, they were not qualified to play the match.



In the Match yesterday with Angola, Ghana tried their best to win the game but men Angola team was on fire that even the goalkeeper of Ghana that saved them. Those guys were very smart on the field. They were always at the goal area of Ghana with the ball. But the keeper tried.

The banter between the Ganians and Nigerians about football is here now since the Black Stars of Ghana despite their mouth and the big players they claimed to have has failed to qualify to the AFCON 2025, it means they are not too good enough this time to be compared to other teams.

this is football; it's not played with mouth and sometimes even the best of teams do suffer some poor outing as this. Forget the football argument we've gotten used to having with Ghana as a nation, it would have been interesting to see them at the AFCON and try to make the best fun out of the whole tournament. With the back stars out of the AFCON race, what they have left is to put in effort and ensure that qualification for the world cup is 💯 guaranteed. With six games left for them to play at the world cup qualification and four already played with three wins and just a single draw, they will be hoping to get the best of the remaining fixtures at the world cup qualifyer so as to be sure that the outing for the qualification are not all in vain.

Check well you will know that we are almost at the same level if you're comparing our stand at both the world cup qualification and the AFCON qualification. If care isn't taken, we will be at the AFCON but might not be at the world cup while they have an higher chance of going to world cup even though they've missed out in the AFCON.

[SatoPrincess]

Ghana has failed to qualify I. The 2025 African Cup Nation. Ghana was one thing f the strongest team in Africa but the Hero of the Black Stars has fallen. And a question is asked, will the AFCON interesting without the Black Stars? Oh yes. It will be. Ghana has won African Cup Nations 4 consecutive times. 1963, 1965, 1978 & 1982 and after those Victories, the Black Stars were good in the field but recently, they are not doing well again. In 2021, they were knockout from the group stage. In 2023, they were knockout from the group stage and in  2025 tournament, they were not qualified to play the match.



In the Match yesterday with Angola, Ghana tried their best to win the game but men Angola team was on fire that even the goalkeeper of Ghana that saved them. Those guys were very smart on the field. They were always at the goal area of Ghana with the ball. But the keeper tried.

It’s a shame that Ghana couldn’t qualify for the AFCON. They are very competitive with Nigeria and like to banter us as much as like to banter them. I would have loved to see them in the competition so we can knocked them out ourselves but I’m also happy they are out of the AFCON because now we have something to banter them about. Nigeria twitter must be buzzing with rants, we should be careful not to overdo it because we have not yet qualified for the World Cup.

[Felicity_Tide]

~snip

It’s a shame that Ghana couldn’t qualify for the AFCON. They are very competitive with Nigeria and like to banter us as much as like to banter them. I would have loved to see them in the competition so we can knocked them out ourselves but I’m also happy they are out of the AFCON because now we have something to banter them about. Nigeria twitter must be buzzing with rants, we should be careful not to overdo it because we have not yet qualified for the World Cup.

Don't really know what happened to Ghana. This is quite unusual if you ask me. Then, when Afcon was still very much heated, Nigeria and Ghana are two sides we always find in the qualification list, even on the list for world cup. They have top players from the premier league and other top leagues, but it was quite surprising that they couldn't qualify. Truth is, I would have love to see them in the tournament. The banter won't be sweet when they are not in the tournament.

As for the eagles, they've given a top performance in this qualification, but preparing for a tournament without appointing a manager is totally a sign of unseriousness. I watched some minutes of their last game against Benin. I could see quality in the team. But the failure of the NFF or whatever body incharge, to appoint a manager at this early phase is quite disappointing. These boys needs a manager that they will be used to, and not bringing someone when the tournament is very close. If the current interim manager will be incharge in the coming Afcon, them it should be stated. We shouldn't use a fire brigade approach for every thing.

[Roseline492]

In sports sometimes you win and in some cases you lose. Did you watch the game between Israel and France? The game ended in a draw but normally most gamblers would have bet that the French team would beat them mercilessly. We will not stop supporting the Super Eagles no matter the results we get from games.

I'm with you on that and for clarity the example you gave about Israel and France is just what they needed to no about club results sometimes, if I'm not mistaken France was happy even if they could not get the complete point because they tried their best and hope for more win on their coming match which is how soccer is, so we cannot hit our head because of draw super eagles played. however it seems the Rwanda team has arrived in uyo for their match against the super eagles, so hopefully if we get a draw from them is good and besides the stage that required so much effort has passed.

[Accardo]

~snip

It’s a shame that Ghana couldn’t qualify for the AFCON. They are very competitive with Nigeria and like to banter us as much as like to banter them. I would have loved to see them in the competition so we can knocked them out ourselves but I’m also happy they are out of the AFCON because now we have something to banter them about. Nigeria twitter must be buzzing with rants, we should be careful not to overdo it because we have not yet qualified for the World Cup.

Don't really know what happened to Ghana. This is quite unusual if you ask me. Then, when Afcon was still very much heated, Nigeria and Ghana are two sides we always find in the qualification list, even on the list for world cup. They have top players from the premier league and other top leagues, but it was quite surprising that they couldn't qualify. Truth is, I would have love to see them in the tournament. The banter won't be sweet when they are not in the tournament.

Generally, Nigeria and Ghana are like co-wives with lots of drama to offer the continent. Unfortunately, Angola has switched the fun off for Ghanaians. Their poor performances is questionable. They've never failed to qualify since 2004 and have never lost at Baba Yara stadium for about 24 years. History has changed and Otto Addo their head coach confirmed that it's hard to win after losing at home.

And that Angola pressed them in the match, they had lesser opportunities. However, don't be surprised that the banter won't stop, their citizens will wait to start the drama whenever super eagles has a match during the Afcon. The best thing for the Nigerian players is not to lose out in the games.

[SatoPrincess]

~snip

It’s a shame that Ghana couldn’t qualify for the AFCON. They are very competitive with Nigeria and like to banter us as much as like to banter them. I would have loved to see them in the competition so we can knocked them out ourselves but I’m also happy they are out of the AFCON because now we have something to banter them about. Nigeria twitter must be buzzing with rants, we should be careful not to overdo it because we have not yet qualified for the World Cup.

Don't really know what happened to Ghana. This is quite unusual if you ask me. Then, when Afcon was still very much heated, Nigeria and Ghana are two sides we always find in the qualification list, even on the list for world cup. They have top players from the premier league and other top leagues, but it was quite surprising that they couldn't qualify. Truth is, I would have love to see them in the tournament. The banter won't be sweet when they are not in the tournament.

Generally, Nigeria and Ghana are like co-wives with lots of drama to offer the continent. Unfortunately, Angola has switched the fun off for Ghanaians. Their poor performances is questionable. They've never failed to qualify since 2004 and have never lost at Baba Yara stadium for about 24 years. History has changed and Otto Addo their head coach confirmed that it's hard to win after losing at home.

And that Angola pressed them in the match, they had lesser opportunities. However, don't be surprised that the banter won't stop, their citizens will wait to start the drama whenever super eagles has a match during the Afcon. The best thing for the Nigerian players is not to lose out in the games.

That’s a very good analogy lol. Nigerians and Ghanaians do act like we are a polygamous family and as common with most polygamous families there is usually a love-hate relationship between them. Ghana had a really bad Pedro’s move in this year’s campaign, I remember their team captain Mohammed Kudus, apologized to Ghanaians for the poor performance of the Black Stars. I believe we will a better side of the Black Stars in the World Cup qualifiers.

[Smartvirus]

Something about the boys that we seem to ignore is the fact that most of them don't play in the same league or clubs. They're being taught a different philosophy of the game at their various league/clubs so we can't expect them to just abandon all they have been taught to learn a new one from the manager.

We could make excuses for them as we will but, let’s not forget they aren’t just the ones playing for some team when they aren’t on national duty. Every other player does have a team and manager that instills in them, a tactics that wouldn’t be the same when you’re playing for the national team and under a different manager. Your ability to adjust and produce that quality even in a new team is what makes you a good player. I’m not saying they aren’t good but, I think they act unserious on the pitch, a little selfish with the ball and just wants to be the big guy on the team. It limits the level of success the team would have had.