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

[EluguHcman]

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament. 

It has been a remarkable for Nigerians to had achieved that great height due to the hard work of Troost-Ekong whom had been of unbreakable contributes being motivating the team with his defensive technical reliances against the opposition teams.

[Justbillywitt]

Before this Afcon qualifiers began, I saw some pictures of super eagles where they were training and the place looks unkept compare to what they are playing at the international level. None of them should even complain about funds because ministry of sport has gotten enough allocation ever since they played the last Afcon and the government offset some arias owned by the government many year, so it's not the fualt of the government nor the players but within the NFF board.

However, we as fan based need to know that some of this players are doing the work because of Afcon and not because of the Nation, winning the African cup of nation is a big achievement but with what is happening in the country, it's not worth sacrificing anything for, the days of playing for love of the country dies during the time of JJ okocha and Kanu Nwanko and Ahmed Musa.

source

Yakubu recently posted a video of his infamous miss that cost Nigeria our shot at the World Cup in 2010. That’s how much these players hold themselves accountable for their actions. I agree with you totally that the era where footballers played for the love of the football and country died with the past players. I think that the spirit is slowly returning with the current squad. The players in the squad seem to be interested in winning, which I believe is the main objective and the supporters are starting to believe in the Super Eagles again.

The problem has never been with the players not being dedicated to their jobs and defending the flag. The major problem of the super eagles has always been the management. The super eagles management has been caught up with many scandals in the past. Ranging from owing players their match bonuses and not adequately preparing for match venues, especially when the match is to be played at home. And many others. Many times we have heard stories of players paying their flight tickets to come play for the country. If the NFF can improve and position themselves well, the players don't have any reason not to be dedicated to team and giving their best. Every players want to win something with the national team.

[Hewlet]

The current coach Eguavoen should resign if they are not ready to decide and pay him as the coach because of he keeps staying without having his contract signed, NFF and her members will control him and the team as they like and they may end up owing him for the job.

If only these our Nigerian coaches are been eyed by other countries to come help them with their National team, maybe we would have learnt to value our own coaches. Indigenous coaches still deserve a good contract and also to be respected by the NFF.
The NFF continuing to make the stay of coaches difficult is not helping the National team and the players we have who should be doing better for us.

you and I know that it's going to be deficult for another African coach to be allowed to take charge of the super eagles or a Nigerian coach allowed to take care of another African team. Regardless of whatever coaching experience the person has, it's going to always be an option of getting a local coach from your nation or sourcing out for a foreign coach. We generally don't believe in ourselves and that's part of the reason why we like to go for players that are playing in the top leagues without looking out for players in the local leagues that should be featured during the AFCON. The way this things should work best should even be that while doing call up for the AFCON, a fair chance should have been given to local players from the NPFL so they can at least showcase what they are capable of while the big boys be allowed to play for the big leagues like in the world cup qualifyer. If training the coaches or sending them to learn under an extablished English coach is what's required to get a good local coach, is that something that's bigger than us to do? We have the resource to get our national team the best coach and the best training facilities any organized national team will ever have but we don't prioritize gaining complete independent from these guys.

The good thing is that all this foreign coach issue isn't just a Nigerian problem, most African national team relies on foreign coaches and that's purely part of the reasons we can't even go far in major international competition.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Yakubu recently posted a video of his infamous miss that cost Nigeria our shot at the World Cup in 2010. That’s how much these players hold themselves accountable for their actions. I agree with you totally that the era where footballers played for the love of the football and country died with the past players. I think that the spirit is slowly returning with the current squad. The players in the squad seem to be interested in winning, which I believe is the main objective and the supporters are starting to believe in the Super Eagles again.

We miss the old days, even though they didn't win much but they made us love the game more. They played with spirit and entertainment to make us the fans happy. Unfortunately they didn't have lots of funding because if they had half of what the recent day players have, they would have made us more proud. Every player has their bad days at the office and that day was his. He shouldn't blame himself much because even the best players do miss chances.

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament. 

Impressive for this small achievement? Seems you guys are underrating the Super eagles and that's why they're being this relaxed. Topping a group that don't have much threat is an achievement for the runner up of the just concluded AFCON tournament that we were so good that only the host of the competition could defeat us at the finals? Please topping the group is the least I expected from the team, they should be winning all their matches. No draws just to make a statement of how prepared they're for this tournament.

[Docnaster]

There's been series of reports from the media that the Black Stars of Ghana will be playing their CAF AFCON 2025 home games in the God's Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. Reports have it that CAF have  rejected using any of the stadiums in the country "due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field."

Considering the rivalry between Nigerian fans and their Ghanaian counterparts, do you think Ghana will accept to play their home games in Nigeria?

[SatoPrincess]

Yakubu recently posted a video of his infamous miss that cost Nigeria our shot at the World Cup in 2010. That’s how much these players hold themselves accountable for their actions. I agree with you totally that the era where footballers played for the love of the football and country died with the past players. I think that the spirit is slowly returning with the current squad. The players in the squad seem to be interested in winning, which I believe is the main objective and the supporters are starting to believe in the Super Eagles again.

We miss the old days, even though they didn't win much but they made us love the game more. They played with spirit and entertainment to make us the fans happy. Unfortunately they didn't have lots of funding because if they had half of what the recent day players have, they would have made us more proud. Every player has their bad days at the office and that day was his. He shouldn't blame himself much because even the best players do miss chances.

Yakubu wasn’t a bad player. He scored 21 goals in 58 appearances for the Super Eagles. It is so sad that his name is always linked with that one miss. It is unbelievable how one mistake can define your entire national football career. The Yak has more reputation in the premier league clubs he played in (Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Everton) than in Nigeria football because of that one mistake in the World Cup.

Yakubu’s stats in the English Premier League is impressive. According to this article, the Yak is the 5th African African goalscorers in Premier League history. He ranked above the likes of Kanu, Yaya Toure, Wilfried Zaha, Aubameyang, and Riyad Mahrez.

[Marykeller]

The current coach Eguavoen should resign if they are not ready to decide and pay him as the coach because of he keeps staying without having his contract signed, NFF and her members will control him and the team as they like and they may end up owing him for the job.

If only these our Nigerian coaches are been eyed by other countries to come help them with their National team, maybe we would have learnt to value our own coaches. Indigenous coaches still deserve a good contract and also to be respected by the NFF.
The NFF continuing to make the stay of coaches difficult is not helping the National team and the players we have who should be doing better for us.

The coaches that have been on duty for within this period are not good. Of course, they have done their part and played their team role. But the NFF is not doing a good job. Everything we do now in the country has to be connections to fit in top positions. Even those without the talent or skill will be forced to stay in those positions doing nothing but because of connections and level in high places, they are been kept there. When we come down to players as well. The same thing happens. The best players are not picked rather it is those who are favored will be selected to join the team.

We won't go far if the NFF and other officials continue like this. They still dont know the value of winning and creating history. If they can stop cheating and favoritism in the system I believe the Super Eagles will sour higher.

You get the point because it has become a tradition that year in, year after, the NFF continues to be the major problem the Super Eagles keep facing in terms of who becomes the Super Eagles coach and who plays in the Super Eagles team. Because, to them, it is business as usual for anyone who becomes the Super Eagles coach, or calls upon to be among the Super Eagles squad. That's why many times, we continue to see coaches and players refusing to continue to be part of the Super Eagles squad because they know the problem only they face in the hands of NFF that find interest in whatever task they are assigned to. However, let's see how NFF handles the Eguavoen case whether to let him have a contract or look for another option since they don't place any value on the Indigenous coach to head Super Eagles.

[CryptoHeadlineNews]

There's been series of reports from the media that the Black Stars of Ghana will be playing their CAF AFCON 2025 home games in the God's Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. Reports have it that CAF have  rejected using any of the stadiums in the country "due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field."

Considering the rivalry between Nigerian fans and their Ghanaian counterparts, do you think Ghana will accept to play their home games in Nigeria?

The big question now is, who is Ghana be playing their home game with? Is it Nigeria Or is it another African country? Because if it Nigeria, then I see no reason why Ghana will reject a venue that have been stipulated by AFCON, because you see Nigerians and Ghanaians, those are two countries that are best of friends, that only fights online about who has best "Jellof rice" and loves themselves better when it comes to physical.
So in regards to the topic in question, if AFCON may have rejected Godswill Akpabia International Stadium for the forthcoming event for lacking the conducive atmosphere for standard football play, then what's what I think the Nigerian football federation would have come and look into it to make it standardize, in other to have avoided such disgraced from AFCON.

[Fiatless]

There's been series of reports from the media that the Black Stars of Ghana will be playing their CAF AFCON 2025 home games in the God's Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. Reports have it that CAF have  rejected using any of the stadiums in the country "due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field."

Considering the rivalry between Nigerian fans and their Ghanaian counterparts, do you think Ghana will accept to play their home games in Nigeria?

This is a national embarrassment to Ghana. How can a football nation who have a lot of good players not have a good stadium? It was reported that the CAF inspection team found out that almost all the stadiums in the country are not in good shape to host any CAF competition. Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi, Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadium are all in bad shape.

https://en.africatopsports.com/2024/09/11/caf-withdraws-approval-for-baba-yara-sports-stadium-due-to-poor-pitch-conditions/
Baba Yara Stadium

If it is the responsibility of CAF to choose a substitute stadium, the Black Stars have no option. They also have to consider countries that have good and available stadiums. And Nigeria seems to be one of the nations in West Africa that has good sports facilities. As long as they are not playing against Nigeria, I don't think they should worry.

[Stepstowealth]

This is a national embarrassment to Ghana. How can a football nation who have a lot of good players not have a good stadium? It was reported that the CAF inspection team found out that almost all the stadiums in the country are not in good shape to host any CAF competition. Baba Yara Stadium Kumasi, Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadium are all in bad shape.

I really thought that it was only Nigeria's Football federation that was bringing embarrassments to Africa but it is obvious that it is not just us, and the problem with African football is a general thing that almost all countries in the continent have contributed to. Who also noticed how bad the Rwanda stadium was? It affected the quality of the game between Nigeria and Rwanda.
 How can a country as big as Ghana and as flourishing not have any stadium worthy of an international competition? Do African countries only look to maintain and manage stadiums when they are host to a competition? it is really bad and a shameful thing.

If it is the responsibility of CAF to choose a substitute stadium, the Black Stars have no option. They also have to consider countries that have good and available stadiums.

This is not expected to repeat itself, I expect the Ghanaian government to make the moves to rehabilitate sporting facilities in the country. I do not think that they are are as corrupt as the officials in Nigeria, so if we can have a stadium where games can be played, they should be able to have one as well.

[Asiska02]

Yakubu recently posted a video of his infamous miss that cost Nigeria our shot at the World Cup in 2010. That’s how much these players hold themselves accountable for their actions. I agree with you totally that the era where footballers played for the love of the football and country died with the past players. I think that the spirit is slowly returning with the current squad. The players in the squad seem to be interested in winning, which I believe is the main objective and the supporters are starting to believe in the Super Eagles again.

Winning are what matters the most and for every players dream is to see their country win and thrive despite all odds that may be against them. The Nigerian team have been impressive and I must say they have one of the best squad in Africa now. Their losses in the World Cup qualification the last time can be attributed to the lack of incompetence coach which we all have to put the blame on. I love the spirit in them now and I see them soaring higher than they are now.

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament. 

It has been a remarkable for Nigerians to had achieved that great height due to the hard work of Troost-Ekong whom had been of unbreakable contributes being motivating the team with his defensive technical reliances against the opposition teams.

I am so happy for this remarkable performance by the Nigerian team that has game them victory over their opponents in the group D AFCON qualifications. Their hard work and dedication to make the country proud is really paving way for them and I hope to see a more better and victorious performance from them in the AFCON tournament next year. They are a potential team for the trophy, I hope they can bring it home again because its been a long time now.

[SatoPrincess]

Victor Boniface scored two goals and had one assist for Leverkusen in their game today against Hoffenheim. Boniface didn’t really perform as expected in the AFCON, I would expect he would be fatigued from playing in the AFCON but here he is scoring goals effortlessly. Victor Osimhen also scored on his debut for Galatasary today. I’m watching these two do and I’m wondering what makes a player perform so well for his club and not his country.

[Davidvictorson]

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.  

Rwanda was a much stronger team than Benin Republic and they gave the super eagles a run for their money. Regardless of their current standing in the table which I am aware they are top position, I still feel that they had it quite easy.

We miss the old days, even though they didn't win much but they made us love the game more. They played with spirit and entertainment to make us the fans happy. Unfortunately they didn't have lots of funding because if they had half of what the recent day players have, they would have made us more proud. Every player has their bad days at the office and that day was his. He shouldn't blame himself much because even the best players do miss chances.

You analyzed and dissected this very well. You should be a football pundit. Those were the good old days when passion was undiluted. I remember I cried in one of those games. It was those days that the country stood still whenever the super eagles were going to play a match. I hope we have a better days coming where there would be sufficient funding for the team to be trained and have the best so I can be as passionate about the team as I used to be.

[Coyster]

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.

4 points out of a possible 6 so far is good, though i expected us to get a victory against Rwanda, but it is what it is. Nigeria has started well in the 2025 AFCON qualifier, unlike their World Cup qualifying performance, which i hope will improve when the World Cup qualifiers resume. Is there any news about interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, and if the NFF are going to give him the job on a permanent basis? Maybe they should, it'll help the team to balance well together if the managerial issue is settled as soon as possible.

[Agbe]

Victor Osimhen first game with Galatasaray vs Rizespor was awesome. Though Osimhen didn't scored any goal but he did well in the game. He only assisted. And the match end with 5-0. Which is a good result as his first outing in the team. And Osimhen on his part said that he is still learning from his team mates because there are Senior Players in the team and he is learning from them. There other two Nigerian players in the team and he respects them. He said he used this first match as an experiment game and the next game, they will do better. And in my thought If this this game was 5-0 and he is saying that they will do better in the next game then t will be 10-0 lolz 😂😂😂.

[Juse14]

Victor Osimhen first game with Galatasaray vs Rizespor was awesome. Though Osimhen didn't scored any goal but he did well in the game. He only assisted. And the match end with 5-0. Which is a good result as his first outing in the team. And Osimhen on his part said that he is still learning from his team mates because there are Senior Players in the team and he is learning from them. There other two Nigerian players in the team and he respects them. He said he used this first match as an experiment game and the next game, they will do better. And in my thought If this this game was 5-0 and he is saying that they will do better in the next game then t will be 10-0 lolz 😂😂😂.

assisting and contributing to the 5-0 win only proves that he played very well. Just the fact he is still getting to know his colleagues plus learning from senior players reflects a humble attitude and commitment to keep improving. The very presence of two other Nigerian players in the team must also provide some added comfort for Osimhen.

Had the first game ended 5-0, it is very likely that their performance would have improved in the following matches. Osimhen is good, and developing well with the team might see them record bigger wins in future. Of course, 10-0 might be an exaggeration: however, with a talented team, such big wins are feasible!

[SatoPrincess]

We miss the old days, even though they didn't win much but they made us love the game more. They played with spirit and entertainment to make us the fans happy. Unfortunately they didn't have lots of funding because if they had half of what the recent day players have, they would have made us more proud. Every player has their bad days at the office and that day was his. He shouldn't blame himself much because even the best players do miss chances.

You analyzed and dissected this very well. You should be a football pundit. Those were the good old days when passion was undiluted. I remember I cried in one of those games. It was those days that the country stood still whenever the super eagles were going to play a match. I hope we have a better days coming where there would be sufficient funding for the team to be trained and have the best so I can be as passionate about the team as I used to be.

I believe this is the squad from the “good old days” both of you are reminiscing about. I think the only player missing from the photo is Jay Jay Okocha. Nigerian football has changed a lot. You’re not wrong, the passion Nigeria had for football is not the same as it was in the 90s and early 2000s. The country rallied around the Super Eagles. Parents were not mad at their children playing football as much. I still remember the “Papilo” advert, it is a classic and was on every tv channel in the country. We had songs by Austino Milado that were dedicated to the Super Eagles. Sadly, we don’t have any of these things anymore. When was the last time you saw a Nigerian brand endorse a Super Eagles player or a musician write a song for the Super Eagles?

[Miles2006]

I really thought that it was only Nigeria's Football federation that was bringing embarrassments to Africa but it is obvious that it is not just us, and the problem with African football is a general thing that almost all countries in the continent have contributed to. Who also noticed how bad the Rwanda stadium was? It affected the quality of the game between Nigeria and Rwanda.
 How can a country as big as Ghana and as flourishing not have any stadium worthy of an international competition? Do African countries only look to maintain and manage stadiums when they are host to a competition? it is really bad and a shameful thing.

Lol funny how Nigeria is also in this group lmao, if we should start talking about Africa stadium presently we’ll mention but yet nothing to show off. The honest truth is Africans don’t value sport obviously they just feel spending much on sport is a crime, If football or sport in general had much attention in Africa we’ll never come across this news.

Yakubu recently posted a video of his infamous miss that cost Nigeria our shot at the World Cup in 2010. That’s how much these players hold themselves accountable for their actions. I agree with you totally that the era where footballers played for the love of the football and country died with the past players. I think that the spirit is slowly returning with the current squad. The players in the squad seem to be interested in winning, which I believe is the main objective and the supporters are starting to believe in the Super Eagles again.

It’s real, seeing a current player who always play with emotions also as a team is very rare nowadays and I blame anyone who feel the need to follow their own pattern making things look complicated for the management and coach in charge. If anyone should be in Yakubu position I’m sure the person will feel disappointed that’s normal, our current players act like that and I could remember when Stanley Nwabali got emotional during our finals against Ivory Coast. I just need our players to stay focus in unity.

[nelson4lov]

Victor Boniface scored two goals and had one assist for Leverkusen in their game today against Hoffenheim. Boniface didn’t really perform as expected in the AFCON, I would expect he would be fatigued from playing in the AFCON but here he is scoring goals effortlessly. Victor Osimhen also scored on his debut for Galatasary today. I’m watching these two do and I’m wondering what makes a player perform so well for his club and not his country.

I had this same thought in my head because today I watched Ola Aina play for Nottingham against Liverpool and he delivered one of his best performances that I have seen (I watched all of the Afcon games he featured in February. None came close). Aina kept Luiz Diaz silent all afternoon and won really crucial tackles. I'm not saying he doesn't win tackles for Nigeria but this was different and it was clear that he had vested interest to play very well today.

It's the same with other players too — Iwobi, Boniface and a few others.

I think it has to do with the teammates. It might be the case that their club teammates understand their game play better than their national teammates. Just the right pass, just the right cross, etc. Worth noting that they train with their clubside teammates more often than they do their national teammates.

[Pokapoka124]

After Nigeria has played against Benin and ended 3-0 with victory to Nigeria and Nigeria also being played goaless with Riwanda.
Impressively that Nigeria has secured team top D ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.

4 points out of a possible 6 so far is good, though i expected us to get a victory against Rwanda, but it is what it is. Nigeria has started well in the 2025 AFCON qualifier, unlike their World Cup qualifying performance, which i hope will improve when the World Cup qualifiers resume. Is there any news about interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, and if the NFF are going to give him the job on a permanent basis? Maybe they should, it'll help the team to balance well together if the managerial issue is settled as soon as possible.

The team is actually doing well, they have played two games and accumulated four points from these games. The second game wasn’t a lucky day for the Super Eagles because they put in a good performance, created good chances and even scored and was cancelled. I really think the boys are putting efforts and trying to win games as so let’s give them some credit for what they have done so far.