African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Agbe]

The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

No, it does not put them in a difficult situation, it puts them out of the competition. Nigeria have been eliminated. Two games, two loses, zero goals scored, five goals conceded, - 5 goal difference, bottom of the group.

I think our performance in this tournament is testament to how poor the quality of football is in our local league. This is a tournament for players playing domestically, so if we were playing great football in the NPFL, we wouldn't be eliminated in the group stage of this competition.

I haven't been following the African Nations Championship, but after I read your post, I immediately checked the group of the Super Eagles, and I was so disappointed when I saw the Super Eagles at the bottom of the Group D table with zero points. Now I see the reason why you said that the Super Eagles' performance put them out of the tournament because even though they beat Congo, they will still not qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

It's very disappointing to see that in a group that has the likes of Susan with all due respect to them is a very appaulling situation that we have here this is a reflection of how low our league has become now I understand why most of our players in the Nigerian league move to place like Sudan, Rwanda , Tanzania etc to play

[Marvelockg]

The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

No, it does not put them in a difficult situation, it puts them out of the competition. Nigeria have been eliminated. Two games, two loses, zero goals scored, five goals conceded, - 5 goal difference, bottom of the group.

I think our performance in this tournament is testament to how poor the quality of football is in our local league. This is a tournament for players playing domestically, so if we were playing great football in the NPFL, we wouldn't be eliminated in the group stage of this competition.

I haven't been following the African Nations Championship, but after I read your post, I immediately checked the group of the Super Eagles, and I was so disappointed when I saw the Super Eagles at the bottom of the Group D table with zero points. Now I see the reason why you said that the Super Eagles' performance put them out of the tournament because even though they beat Congo, they will still not qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

It's very disappointing to see that in a group that has the likes of Susan with all due respect to them is a very appaulling situation that we have here this is a reflection of how low our league has become now I understand why most of our players in the Nigerian league move to place like Sudan, Rwanda , Tanzania etc to play

this ones have learnt back things from the super eagles first team na. playing two games without a singke point and being beaten by teams that should not stand in their way in the first place, is that not enough disgrace to start with? we are all from different states and can at least give a litle analysis on the investment our state government are putting into the development of their state teams na, is that what is going to make us contend against teams that have invested a lot in thier league and players welfair?

while i still put an aspect of the blame on our sports federation for not doing the needful, i will still blame the local players that have an oportunity of at least showing that they are good in their own way and they have failed worefull in that little task. the numbers of goals they have conceeded even makes the matter worse because it shows that they are not even ready for the turnament.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

The Nigerian team qualifying from the group stage has become a big problem for us. I don't think you and I would have the hope of seeing them making it out of the group stage with a disgraceful 4-0 loss match against Sudan.

If we should do the logic, you are very right. Among the four clubs that are in the group D, only Nigeria has lost two matches, the remaining three clubs have neither lost nor won themselves but they all drew.

The next match is against Congo. Are we to be confident in the Nigerian team to win against Congo? Even if they win against Congo, the win is taking them nowhere with 3 points.

I doubt if Nigeria can win Congo because of the matches that have been played. Nigeria played so bad and performed woefully.

It's so disappointing to see how the super Eagles team have performed so poorly in that group D,  Their stands in that group is almost like known, and it will be a surprising thing if they finally managed to qualify, which I doubt. But that would be a terrible thing if they failed to win Congo in this encounter, making them 3 consecutive loses, it obviously will drop their ratings on both the continent and international level.

I know that the Super Eagles are playing with home-based players in the ongoing African Nations Championship, but the Super Eagles were supposed to defeat Senegal and Sudan. The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament. The Super Eagles failing to get a point after playing two matches in the ongoing African Nations Championship is already terrible for us, and I will not be surprised if they fail to win against Congo in their next match.

That is what you get when there is little or no motivation from the government, honestly these players and even the coaching staff can do much better if they are properly motivated, they performed very badly, I watched the match for a while and left because they were beating our team all round and feeding them goals like babies. Nigerian government has to do better in overseeing the welfare of these players, FR how do you expect these players to give their best when the $100,000 each that was promised Super Falcons who won the Women AFCON is yet to be remitted to them?

[Fiatless]

That is what you get when there is little or no motivation from the government, honestly these players and even the coaching staff can do much better if they are properly motivated, they performed very badly, I watched the match for a while and left because they were beating our team all round and feeding them goals like babies. Nigerian government has to do better in overseeing the welfare of these players, FR how do you expect these players to give their best when the $100,000 each that was promised Super Falcons who won the Women AFCON is yet to be remitted to them?

We shouldn't blame the government for every bad sporting outing. This might be a tactical fault, selection problems or the boys were not patriotic. The government might not have redeemed the $100,000 pledge but it will still be fulfilled, hopefully. Remember that during the past administration, players who brought glory to Nigeria got only presidential handshakes. The truth is that Nigeria presented a weak and tactically deficient squad.   

[DubemIfedigbo001]

That is what you get when there is little or no motivation from the government, honestly these players and even the coaching staff can do much better if they are properly motivated, they performed very badly, I watched the match for a while and left because they were beating our team all round and feeding them goals like babies. Nigerian government has to do better in overseeing the welfare of these players, FR how do you expect these players to give their best when the $100,000 each that was promised Super Falcons who won the Women AFCON is yet to be remitted to them?

We shouldn't blame the government for every bad sporting outing. This might be a tactical fault, selection problems or the boys were not patriotic. The government might not have redeemed the $100,000 pledge but it will still be fulfilled, hopefully. Remember that during the past administration, players who brought glory to Nigeria got only presidential handshakes. The truth is that Nigeria presented a weak and tactically deficient squad.   

While I identify with your points on tactical deficiency. I know very well what motivation can do in football even in a local level. Back then in 2020 or thereabout, The then governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi made promises to the Rangers team of a big reward if they win the cup and increased their salaries throughout the competition. That way the never do wells were motivated and they took it serious and beat almost all opponents to win the trophy. After then, he never gave such support again and the trophy never came home no more up until today.

When players are motivated, they give more than their best. I play football too and I know the kind of internal desire to excel present when there is adequate motivation.

[Mr Reporter]

The Nigerian team qualifying from the group stage has become a big problem for us. I don't think you and I would have the hope of seeing them making it out of the group stage with a disgraceful 4-0 loss match against Sudan.

If we should do the logic, you are very right. Among the four clubs that are in the group D, only Nigeria has lost two matches, the remaining three clubs have neither lost nor won themselves but they all drew.

The next match is against Congo. Are we to be confident in the Nigerian team to win against Congo? Even if they win against Congo, the win is taking them nowhere with 3 points.

I doubt if Nigeria can win Congo because of the matches that have been played. Nigeria played so bad and performed woefully.

It's so disappointing to see how the super Eagles team have performed so poorly in that group D,  Their stands in that group is almost like known, and it will be a surprising thing if they finally managed to qualify, which I doubt. But that would be a terrible thing if they failed to win Congo in this encounter, making them 3 consecutive loses, it obviously will drop their ratings on both the continent and international level.

I know that the Super Eagles are playing with home-based players in the ongoing African Nations Championship, but the Super Eagles were supposed to defeat Senegal and Sudan. The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament. The Super Eagles failing to get a point after playing two matches in the ongoing African Nations Championship is already terrible for us, and I will not be surprised if they fail to win against Congo in their next match.

That is what you get when there is little or no motivation from the government, honestly these players and even the coaching staff can do much better if they are properly motivated, they performed very badly, I watched the match for a while and left because they were beating our team all round and feeding them goals like babies. Nigerian government has to do better in overseeing the welfare of these players, FR how do you expect these players to give their best when the $100,000 each that was promised Super Falcons who won the Women AFCON is yet to be remitted to them?

I think the frustration is real! You are really right motivation really plays a significant role in performance, the super Falcons recent outing have  indeed raised concerns about their welfare and government support, this is why there is a big need for better oversight of players welfare, impacting thier welfare, the truth be told this could lead to another way to the player's having to see that our government had not take to their words as promised. It really essential for the Nigeria government to address these concerns and provide the necessary support for the super Falcons to excel

[Zigabel]

We shouldn't blame the government for every bad sporting outing. This might be a tactical fault, selection problems or the boys were not patriotic. The government might not have redeemed the $100,000 pledge but it will still be fulfilled, hopefully. Remember that during the past administration, players who brought glory to Nigeria got only presidential handshakes. The truth is that Nigeria presented a weak and tactically deficient squad.   

You will think not blaming the government when it comes to sports matters is okay until you see how much the government has frustrated the efforts of some Individuals and even cooperate bodies who wanted to key in sponsorship then you will understand why the government has got a very fair share of blame in all of the experiences we see in the sports Industries.

If till now the government have not redeemed the promises, you think they will eventually? When a new government will be in power and claim they weren't the ones who made the promises and ares so not obliged to keep it, you know how gullible and opportunistic these politicians can be, so government has got s very vital tole to play in all of this and that even interfere with the tactical fault you mentioned because if the right persons are hired, not always will we have to suffer such.

[Callido]

That is what you get when there is little or no motivation from the government, honestly these players and even the coaching staff can do much better if they are properly motivated, they performed very badly, I watched the match for a while and left because they were beating our team all round and feeding them goals like babies. Nigerian government has to do better in overseeing the welfare of these players, FR how do you expect these players to give their best when the $100,000 each that was promised Super Falcons who won the Women AFCON is yet to be remitted to them?

The same government that play politics with the sports, i don't expect much from them, if government begins to oversee the fare ware of the league in a way, there will be a different problem of ethnicity and favoritism no longer finding the best player for that position. It is either coach fault, players fault or both because Group D isn't a competitive one that we get to be at the bottom.

First national team are struggling to qualify for next World Cup, last qualification we didn't make it there, this time around our chances is slim once again. Football federation is messed up honestly, settling for the least why we have the best.

[Charles-Tim]

The same government that play politics with the sports, i don't expect much from them, if government begins to oversee the fare ware of the league in a way, there will be a different problem of ethnicity and favoritism no longer finding the best player for that position. It is either coach fault, players fault or both because Group D isn't a competitive one that we get to be at the bottom.

I do not understand what you mean about the same government that plays politics with sports. What do you mean by that?

When talking about sport, I do not think we should involve our government, but we can blame ourselves for having huge population like this but not having local players that can make use qualify for the world cup.

The coach is even from Ivory Coast and not a Nigerian which can make manipulation to be avoided or at least be reduced.

[Promocodeudo]

The same government that play politics with the sports, i don't expect much from them, if government begins to oversee the fare ware of the league in a way, there will be a different problem of ethnicity and favoritism no longer finding the best player for that position. It is either coach fault, players fault or both because Group D isn't a competitive one that we get to be at the bottom.

First national team are struggling to qualify for next World Cup, last qualification we didn't make it there, this time around our chances is slim once again. Football federation is messed up honestly, settling for the least why we have the best.

Mate we will keep seeing or will I say experiencing all this thing as far as the government aren't ready to do things right, obviously there are good players that could gives us what we want but you know the problem, I think you have mentioned one, politics is affecting everything in Nigeria and to me that's the real problem that has to be tackled, the right selection isn't made, we keep getting things in a messy condition, it is really bad, that's one of the reason why I don't get myself worked up for this whole thing about our country football, for a very long time we have not been able to hear good news, who knows if the government were able to fulfill the promise they made to our Lady that won a trophy recently for us, I won't be surprised if those statements were to be fallacy.

[Mayor of ogba]

The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

No, it does not put them in a difficult situation, it puts them out of the competition. Nigeria have been eliminated. Two games, two loses, zero goals scored, five goals conceded, - 5 goal difference, bottom of the group.

I think our performance in this tournament is testament to how poor the quality of football is in our local league. This is a tournament for players playing domestically, so if we were playing great football in the NPFL, we wouldn't be eliminated in the group stage of this competition.

I haven't been following the African Nations Championship, but after I read your post, I immediately checked the group of the Super Eagles, and I was so disappointed when I saw the Super Eagles at the bottom of the Group D table with zero points. Now I see the reason why you said that the Super Eagles' performance put them out of the tournament because even though they beat Congo, they will still not qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

It's very disappointing to see that in a group that has the likes of Susan with all due respect to them is a very appaulling situation that we have here this is a reflection of how low our league has become now I understand why most of our players in the Nigerian league move to place like Sudan, Rwanda , Tanzania etc to play

We can't be so certain that the Super Eagles' poor performance in the ongoing African Nations Championship was because of how low our league has become; there are other factors that could influence the Super Eagles' poor performance, such as the Super Eagles coach selecting the wrong players for the African Nations Championship and using wrong tactics that don't fit in the style of play of the Super Eagles.

[CryptSafe]

This is now becoming a major interest as our national team is beginning to get interests from Nigerians abroad who are born to foreign mother's. I think Ashley Asumptre openned the doors for others to begin the journey back home to their national team.  Ashley was amongst the team that won the last concluded  WAFCON as the key defender, she supported the team so much.

Here is another player who about joining the list, he is  Jonathan Spiff Asuzu born to a Nigeria father and his mother a Brazilian. He was born and brought up in Brazil and willing to switch allegiance for the national under 29 20 team. Is this the beginning of a shift in the national team?

Read here

[Charles-Tim]

Here is another player who about joining the list, he is  Jonathan Spiff Asuzu born to a Nigeria father and his mother a Brazilian. He was born and brought up in Brazil and willing to switch allegiance for the national under 29 team. Is this the beginning of a shift in the national team?

No matter where they were born, even if they are born outside of this world if possible, as long as their father is from Nigeria, he is our blood. It is part of our culture. Ashley Asumptre really looks like White (unlike her sister) but she is our blood. I even like the fact that she wants to know more about her home (Nigeria). If they think they can do the work, please they should apply. I really like this yoruba and Nigerian address called Adunni Ade.

[CryptSafe]

Here is another player who about joining the list, he is  Jonathan Spiff Asuzu born to a Nigeria father and his mother a Brazilian. He was born and brought up in Brazil and willing to switch allegiance for the national under 29 team. Is this the beginning of a shift in the national team?

No matter where they were born, even if they are born outside of this world if possible, as long as their father is from Nigeria, he is our blood. It is part of our culture. Ashley Asumptre really looks like White (unlike her sister) but she is our blood. I even like the fact that she wants to know more about her home (Nigeria). If they think they can do the work, please they should apply.

It is good to see the interest coming in for the national team. I believe these set's of players switching allegiance for Nigeria are coming in with good and clean thought but I fear that the attitude of the NFF and the federal government should not scare or get them scared away because that is the only thing I think would discourage them to continue with the national team.

So far, these players coming in are very committed and are ready to cooperate to do much better. I saw that in Ashley Asumptre and she did perfectly well, her support was a very good one to say.

[Zigabel]

We can't be so certain that the Super Eagles' poor performance in the ongoing African Nations Championship was because of how low our league has become; there are other factors that could influence the Super Eagles' poor performance, such as the Super Eagles coach selecting the wrong players for the African Nations Championship and using wrong tactics that don't fit in the style of play of the Super Eagles.

The poor performance of the Super Eagles cannot be totally blamed on the league but the league can be dragged into this in a way, if we had a very good league where good players are natured, it wouldn't be a challenge getting players to fit in and get super Eagles to perform better against their African counterpart in the championship.

If not for the international based players who regularly come back home for national assignment, we would not be talking of have a squad that will be doing fine at the continental level because at the international level they they perform average as super eagles.

[Callido]

The coach is even from Ivory Coast and not a Nigerian which can make manipulation to be avoided or at least be reduced.

How possible that our national coach is from Ivory Coast while we have both local and other better foreign options. Eric Chelle coached Mali for two years and he won nothing with the team, his only achievement was reaching quarter final in the AFCON, if this was a trial obviously it didn't go as they planned.

It's hard to believe, such manipulation can even be worse with a foreign coach, because he has to agree with terms before giving the role as the head coach.

[Marykeller]

It's very disappointing to see that in a group that has the likes of Susan with all due respect to them is a very appaulling situation that we have here this is a reflection of how low our league has become now I understand why most of our players in the Nigerian league move to place like Sudan, Rwanda , Tanzania etc to play

When the Super Falcons play better to win the Africa Cup of Nations trophy, with enough money to be given as a reward, we Nigerians complain about why they should be rewarded that way. But when the people(men) we thought could do better, we see them disappointing.

It is a sad reality that our men are not making us proud regarding football. I can't remember the last time our men came back home with a trophy. It's always a disappointing scenario they always have us on, to watch out for

[SuperBitMan]

The coach is even from Ivory Coast and not a Nigerian which can make manipulation to be avoided or at least be reduced.

How possible that our national coach is from Ivory Coast while we have both local and other better foreign options. Eric Chelle coached Mali for two years and he won nothing with the team, his only achievement was reaching quarter final in the AFCON, if this was a trial obviously it didn't go as they planned.

It's hard to believe, such manipulation can even be worse with a foreign coach, because he has to agree with terms before giving the role as the head coach.

Why should a coach of a football nation team come from another nation is not right at all especially since that coach is still a citizen of the other nation and is not even a citizen of the nation his coaching by birth or by nationalization, for me I think FIFA should do something about this matter of a nation signing a coach from another nation to coach in their national team in terms of prayers you cannot play for another two different nation that rules should also be implemented in the coaches you cannot coach more than two nation that is how it is supposed to be because sometimes I imagine how it will look like if for example Nigeria is now playing with Ivory Coast, is somehow knowing fully well that the coach is from Ivory Coast.
For me I want a Nigerian coach that is from Nigeria however there is some advantage that also comes with signing a coach from another nation.

[Lida93]

The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

No, it does not put them in a difficult situation, it puts them out of the competition. Nigeria have been eliminated. Two games, two loses, zero goals scored, five goals conceded, - 5 goal difference, bottom of the group.

I think our performance in this tournament is testament to how poor the quality of football is in our local league. This is a tournament for players playing domestically, so if we were playing great football in the NPFL, we wouldn't be eliminated in the group stage of this competition.

What we saw in the African Nations championship competition from the super eagles is an effect of the flaws that has been taken to be normal in the grassroot football in terms of scouting and picking thr best skillful players to make the national team at all levels of international competitions. The best are ignored while mediocres are giving opportunity to represent. What an embarrassing stat

[Dunamisx]

The performance of the Super Eagles in the ongoing African Nations Championship is terrible, and it has put them in a difficult situation to qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

No, it does not put them in a difficult situation, it puts them out of the competition. Nigeria have been eliminated. Two games, two loses, zero goals scored, five goals conceded, - 5 goal difference, bottom of the group.

I think our performance in this tournament is testament to how poor the quality of football is in our local league. This is a tournament for players playing domestically, so if we were playing great football in the NPFL, we wouldn't be eliminated in the group stage of this competition.

I haven't been following the African Nations Championship, but after I read your post, I immediately checked the group of the Super Eagles, and I was so disappointed when I saw the Super Eagles at the bottom of the Group D table with zero points. Now I see the reason why you said that the Super Eagles' performance put them out of the tournament because even though they beat Congo, they will still not qualify for the knockout phase of the tournament.

It's very disappointing to see that in a group that has the likes of Susan with all due respect to them is a very appaulling situation that we have here this is a reflection of how low our league has become now I understand why most of our players in the Nigerian league move to place like Sudan, Rwanda , Tanzania etc to play

I don't think any of the Nigerian players who will move to countries like Rwanda, Sudan or even Tanzania wouldn't have compared the current situation and challenges they are facing to where they can see as the next alternative for them to be able to explore for further opportunities in their career, it is important that we know challenges could come from any angle in the football sections and the politics there could be this high level of annoyance.