African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 World Cup Qualifiers.

[Joy- maker]

Even when the right person is appointed the super Eagles head coach, we also have problems with him in choosing the right players to play for team without making biased selection and politicizing their choice of players.

Yeah this is happening because of the "you owe us mentality. The coaches are getting appointments not based on merits but based on connections they have and people that can do what the cartels want. This is a playground for most of the politicians because they choose people that they have relationships with to get into the national team. They're using their influence to give their people visibility without caring about how it's affecting the team play. We have reduced from the footballing nation we used to be known for to a joke now and haven't won the AFCON tournament in like more than a decade.

Checking past histories, we saw that Nigeria was the best team in Africa and anytime they represents Africa, they usually do well and their opponents were afraid of them. Nigeria performance and rating in the world ranking has drastically reduced even when we have good players representing us and playing outside the country, we don’t get to produce good results. The problem is from the coach in selecting the best players that best fit to be played but since politics is involved, we may never get to witness any progress from the super eagles now. Hopefully if this is rectified, we will see a better super eagles once again.

there is no doubt that back then super eagles was the best team in Africa other national teams hardly withstand super eagles back then, but now they are no longer the best team in Africa, because politics is now involve and politics is what is killing our national team, just imagine someone who is not suppose to be in the national team is now in national team Because he has connections, even in selecting coach for the super eagles politics is also plaid which is not making sense, i think is high time they stop this politics playing and allow people who are capable to partake in the national team, because super eagles is really lagging behind be time.

[Fiatless]

On Saturday, 6th of September, Nigeria would face Rwanda in our World Cup qualifying match. The first leg in Rwanda, ended in a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, that is sadly our only victory in the qualifiers so far.

That said, what are your score predictions for this match? The venue is the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, and i am sure the stadium will be filled to capacity, with fans cheering on the Super Eagles. It is a must-win game, if we fail to win, we can kiss our chances of playing in the 2026 WC goodbye. My prediction is a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, same result as the first leg away from home.

As usual, the gate will be wide open for fans to troop in and support the Super Eagles. If not for the free entry, I guess many Nigerians would not want to waste their resources to go and watch a team that has been disappointing us. As a Nigerian, I will give them full support, at least let them keep fighting till the end. But my expectations a low because the Nigerian side is not at its best. My predictions is 3-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.   

[BitBakerr1]

Even when the right person is appointed the super Eagles head coach, we also have problems with him in choosing the right players to play for team without making biased selection and politicizing their choice of players.

Yeah this is happening because of the "you owe us mentality. The coaches are getting appointments not based on merits but based on connections they have and people that can do what the cartels want. This is a playground for most of the politicians because they choose people that they have relationships with to get into the national team. They're using their influence to give their people visibility without caring about how it's affecting the team play. We have reduced from the footballing nation we used to be known for to a joke now and haven't won the AFCON tournament in like more than a decade.

Checking past histories, we saw that Nigeria was the best team in Africa and anytime they represents Africa, they usually do well and their opponents were afraid of them. Nigeria performance and rating in the world ranking has drastically reduced even when we have good players representing us and playing outside the country, we don’t get to produce good results. The problem is from the coach in selecting the best players that best fit to be played but since politics is involved, we may never get to witness any progress from the super eagles now. Hopefully if this is rectified, we will see a better super eagles once again.

there is no doubt that back then super eagles was the best team in Africa other national teams hardly withstand super eagles back then, but now they are no longer the best team in Africa, because politics is now involve and politics is what is killing our national team, just imagine someone who is not suppose to be in the national team is now in national team Because he has connections, even in selecting coach for the super eagles politics is also plaid which is not making sense, i think is high time they stop this politics playing and allow people who are capable to partake in the national team, because super eagles is really lagging behind be time.

Joy- maker you are correct, I was watching a content when the content creator was trying to review what they are doing in Nigeria national team, in the content governors, senators, local government chairman, ministers, and other political appointments holders brought some boys and told the coach to include their names in the national team and when the coach refused they sacked him and brought in someone that can do what they want this is one of the reasons why our national team are not playing like before anymore, we have good players in Nigeria if you check the Nigerian League you will see different players that are very good and that should be included in the national team but because they don't have a politician to help them get into the national team they will not get in which is very bad, players should be selected based on how good they are and not because of her connected they are.
However I believe that one day everything will change people we take their integrity very serious.

[Dunamisx]

there is no doubt that back then super eagles was the best team in Africa other national teams hardly withstand super eagles back then, but now they are no longer the best team in Africa, because politics is now involve and politics is what is killing our national team, just imagine someone who is not suppose to be in the national team is now in national team Because he has connections, even in selecting coach for the super eagles politics is also plaid which is not making sense, i think is high time they stop this politics playing and allow people who are capable to partake in the national team, because super eagles is really lagging behind be time.

You're right in your inputs, because politics today is what others have taken into football and it does not have to be like that, not even when we are considering the football aspect, because it goes a long way to see the effect to what they are doing manifest upon their performance in every matches, not that we don't have some qualifies players, but there is more need to understand why we should always be diligent enough by being considerable in football and it entire setup, and not allowing politics or injustice prevail, because it will later affect the performance of the players at long.

[CryptSafe]

On Saturday, 6th of September, Nigeria would face Rwanda in our World Cup qualifying match. The first leg in Rwanda, ended in a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, that is sadly our only victory in the qualifiers so far.

That said, what are your score predictions for this match? The venue is the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, and i am sure the stadium will be filled to capacity, with fans cheering on the Super Eagles. It is a must-win game, if we fail to win, we can kiss our chances of playing in the 2026 WC goodbye. My prediction is a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, same result as the first leg away from home.

The Super Eagles arrived home for their world cup qualifier match against Rwanda. Hopefully, we pray they perform well to qualify for a place in the world cup because this match should be their last hope of qualification if I am not mistaken. The team needs more effort to making sure they get the ticket.

I know supporters base would not be a problem as the stadium would be filled with Nigerians and Rwandans who travelled down to witness their national team play the match live

However my score line prediction is 2:1 in favour of the Super Eagles.

[Lida93]

Even when the right person is appointed the super Eagles head coach, we also have problems with him in choosing the right players to play for team without making biased selection and politicizing their choice of players.

However the case maybe, the Super Eagles are better under the leadership of a foreigner(a white coach) who can only make his selections based on merit and not tribal sentiments or due to pressure from those at the helm of affairs in the NFA, hence it is also very important that we acknowledge the fact the team has not been performing to the expectations of the fans especially after losing to Ivory coast in last AFCON finals despite taking the lead in the first half, but I think with the right coach we can have a good team that can withstand any opponents and win laurels for the nation.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

It is a must-win game, if we fail to win, we can kiss our chances of playing in the 2026 WC goodbye. My prediction is a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, same result as the first leg away from home.

Yes it's and I don't see any chance of us losing because although the super egales has being on a poor form but that of the Rwandans has being poorer. We also have a home advantage here and since we were able to defeated them at their own home, defeating them in Nigeria shouldn't be much of a challenge. Last game Osimhen score both goals of the game and I back him to be on the score sheet again. We need this win and I'm hoping the boys can deliver us. We need to be at the next world cup. We missed the last, missing this one also isn't going to be funny. We have a very decent squad and there isn't much controversy going on with the team so I expect everybody to bring their A game and get us this win. I'll be going with a prediction of 2:1 in favour of Nigeria.



We have another game today, what are your predictions for this one?

[Nightwatchmare]

These are Nigerians most likely to make a possible switch to the Premier League before the transfer window comes to an end by 7pm today. Samuel Chukwueze is the most anticipated for me, the likes of Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi must have engineered his move over to the Premier League Competition. Regardless regardless, I want to see all three thrive and shine for their respective club. We need a ready sqaud ahead of the FIFA World Cup Competition.

I love to see our players play in the premier league because I see this league as the best in the world and even though we don't what to accept the truth, I don't see other leagues as competitive as the premier league. The hype and attention is here so when you perform well, you'll be getting the recognition that you deserve. Chukwueze is now a Fulham player and I'm delighted with this switch. At Fulham he'll get lots of the spotlight that he needs for his career and with his week in and out performances from him and others coming in,to the league, we can get a stronger and more inform squad for the upcoming games for Nigeria.

The premier league is the best league and the most competitive in the world, and anybody that doesn't agree that premier league is the best league and the most competitive league in the world is just being bias or the person is just starting to follow football recently. I didn't know Chukwueze is now a Fulham play maybe it is because haven't been following transfer window for the past 3 days. I am happy Chukwueze joined Fulham in the transfer deadline day because his move to Fulham will help him develop into a good player, and he and Alex Iwobe will understand each other very well, which will be a big bonus for us when they play for the super eagles.

Messi never tasted the best league in the world which is the English premier league, as a good player that has never played in the english premier league before going for retirement try and play in the English league, Chukwueze coming to Fulham is a nice move he is a good baller and he will be more known now that he is in the best league Chukwueze will be a great here if he remain consistent without getting injuries that will not keep his presence in the football pitch.

Barcelona didn't want Messi to play for any other club when Messi was in his prime, so they tied Messi down with a big money deal which made Messi to remain faithful to Barcelona, but when Barcelona could no longer pay Messi, Messi left Barcelona to join PSG, and Barcelona ran into debt, which is affecting Barcelona till today. That is the reason Messi never played in the premier league. The premier league is the most difficult league and so many good players who were good in other leagues couldn't establish themselves in the premier league, so i hope Chukwueze  wouldn't find it hard to establish himself in the premier league.

[Coyster]

We missed the last, missing this one also isn't going to be funny. We have a very decent squad and there isn't much controversy going on with the team so I expect everybody to bring their A game and get us this win. I'll be going with a prediction of 2:1 in favour of Nigeria.

You are very correct, i cannot imagine us missing out on back-to-back World Cup's, it is going to be too painful and disappointing. Our chances of qualifying is already very slim, but the thing is, there is still a chance. All the boys have to do is keeping getting three points and in the end we'll see what happens.

We have another game today, what are your predictions for this one?

I think it is going to be a 4-0 victory for Gabon, Gabon beat Seychelles 3-0 in the first leg, so i think this time they will go one goal better. Gabon are doing very well in group F, and have won 5 out of the 6 games they have played so far, whilst Seychelles are the whipping boys in that group and have lost 6 out of 6 games played, lol.

[Roseline492]

However the case maybe, the Super Eagles are better under the leadership of a foreigner(a white coach) who can only make his selections based on merit and not tribal sentiments or due to pressure from those at the helm of affairs in the NFA, hence it is also very important that we acknowledge the fact the team has not been performing to the expectations of the fans especially after losing to Ivory coast in last AFCON finals despite taking the lead in the first half, but I think with the right coach we can have a good team that can withstand any opponents and win laurels for the nation.

Apart from experience and good skill of coaching this is another reason foreign coach are also good especially the football system that is based on high connection as determinants of the chance for the person to play even when the person do not matched better than others so actually that is what foreign coaches prevent on national clubs. Although I don't no if this was the case behind a foreigner coaching our national team but however the coach before him that was Nigerian didn't actually examine this players without selecting the merited ones. I wonder how many coach that would try their ability in super eagles before they would find a compatible coach.

[Rruchi man]

We missed the last, missing this one also isn't going to be funny. We have a very decent squad and there isn't much controversy going on with the team so I expect everybody to bring their A game and get us this win. I'll be going with a prediction of 2:1 in favour of Nigeria.

You are very correct, i cannot imagine us missing out on back-to-back World Cup's, it is going to be too painful and disappointing. Our chances of qualifying is already very slim, but the thing is, there is still a chance. All the boys have to do is keeping getting three points and in the end we'll see what happens.

The normal trend for the Super Eagles, something I expect not to happen this time, is that they win their first game against Rwanda, and then after people's hopes are high concerning how they'll perform, they then go on to lose the second game against South Africa.

As much as I like to see the Super Eagles in the World Cup, if we cannot win these two games convincingly, then I don't think we have any business in the World Cup at the moment; we should probably just focus on getting better as we used to once be.

[Lida93]

....

Apart from experience and good skill of coaching this is another reason foreign coach are also good especially the football system that is based on high connection as determinants of the chance for the person to play even when the person do not matched better than others so actually that is what foreign coaches prevent on national clubs. Although I don't no if this was the case behind a foreigner coaching our national team but however the coach before him that was Nigerian didn't actually examine this players without selecting the merited ones. I wonder how many coach that would try their ability in super eagles before they would find a compatible coach.

... It is actually easy to get it right with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in our football competitions that we haven't really being doing great. The solution which we all know but not wanting to elaborate on is, that the NFF has to get their hands off from interfering into which player should be called or not to play, bring in a capable coach let him hit the ground running with his tactics and we are going to experience the advance Nigeria male national team we're expecting to see.

[Doan9269]

However the case maybe, the Super Eagles are better under the leadership of a foreigner(a white coach) who can only make his selections based on merit and not tribal sentiments or due to pressure from those at the helm of affairs in the NFA, hence it is also very important that we acknowledge the fact the team has not been performing to the expectations of the fans especially after losing to Ivory coast in last AFCON finals despite taking the lead in the first half, but I think with the right coach we can have a good team that can withstand any opponents and win laurels for the nation.

Apart from experience and good skill of coaching this is another reason foreign coach are also good especially the football system that is based on high connection as determinants of the chance for the person to play even when the person do not matched better than others so actually that is what foreign coaches prevent on national clubs. Although I don't no if this was the case behind a foreigner coaching our national team but however the coach before him that was Nigerian didn't actually examine this players without selecting the merited ones. I wonder how many coach that would try their ability in super eagles before they would find a compatible coach.

With the use of foreign coaches, i believe the level to being corrupt with our blacks will reduce, because they are going not going to flow the same pace the black coach could behave when it comes to relating to other prominent politicians and notable figures in the decision making process, so a foreign coach will not accept being corrupt or pervert justice in favour of one and as against the other for any reason.

[Davidvictorson]

With the use of foreign coaches, i believe the level to being corrupt with our blacks will reduce, because they are going not going to flow the same pace the black coach could behave when it comes to relating to other prominent politicians and notable figures in the decision making process, so a foreign coach will not accept being corrupt or pervert justice in favour of one and as against the other for any reason.

I just laughed reading this. You would be very shocked that there is no difference between the foreign coach and the  home based or local grown coach. Corruption and corrupt practices have no respect for skin color or nationality, or level of experience. Corruption must be dealt with at the system and structural level. We must start dealing with corruption from the Nigerian football federation if we want to see any tangible change.

[Fiatless]

With the use of foreign coaches, i believe the level to being corrupt with our blacks will reduce, because they are going not going to flow the same pace the black coach could behave when it comes to relating to other prominent politicians and notable figures in the decision making process, so a foreign coach will not accept being corrupt or pervert justice in favour of one and as against the other for any reason.

I just laughed reading this. You would be very shocked that there is no difference between the foreign coach and the  home based or local grown coach. Corruption and corrupt practices have no respect for skin color or nationality, or level of experience. Corruption must be dealt with at the system and structural level. We must start dealing with corruption from the Nigerian football federation if we want to see any tangible change.

But I see reasons with what Doan9269 said. Yes, corruption is not a native of any country and has no respect for race, tribe, or religion. But you can agree that the level of corruption in our continent and country is high. A white coach, might have the courage to resign if this is not working based on the contract. But you can hardly see an African resign from his job if things are not done right.

What Nigeria needs is a good coach, its nationality is not a concern.  A coach that will courageously select the best players based on merit and not for favouritism or political patronage.

[Slow death]

In 1 day my country's national team will play against Uganda, which in that group currently occupies position number 4 with 9 points, while my country currently occupies position number 2 with 12 points.



It won't be an easy game because Uganda comes into this game with a win, so they'll be very motivated to come out with a win. Knowing that Uganda will be playing at home, things will be even more difficult for my country, Mozambique. I think a win for my country would be a very good thing if Algeria also lost in their game. But I very much doubt that things will go as I hope.

It's more likely that Algeria will win without any difficulty and my country will draw this game against Uganda. Since my country's football federation has already said that qualifying for the World Cup is not their main priority, that their main goal was the African Cup of Nations, which has already been achieved, I don't expect the players to put in much effort in the game against Uganda.

[Felicity_Tide]

I just laughed reading this. You would be very shocked that there is no difference between the foreign coach and the  home based or local grown coach. Corruption and corrupt practices have no respect for skin color or nationality, or level of experience. Corruption must be dealt with at the system and structural level. We must start dealing with corruption from the Nigerian football federation if we want to see any tangible change.

It seems some of us don't know how things are being run in the system. From day one, majority of the problems that affects the sport has always come from the NFF and their inability to put in effective work and also not giving the workers the freedom to do whatever they like.  I don't want to even go into the area of scouting because they can't even keep up with the available athletes. I heard an athlete recently changed her nationality to Turkiye after the NFF failed to do the needful several times.

Same thing goes on in the football as well, and I guess it was part of the reasons why we didn't make it to the previous world cup. A little competency is all we ask for, because it won't even make any sense if we don't appear in the next world cup.

[Agbamoni]

However the case maybe, the Super Eagles are better under the leadership of a foreigner(a white coach) who can only make his selections based on merit and not tribal sentiments or due to pressure from those at the helm of affairs in the NFA, hence it is also very important that we acknowledge the fact the team has not been performing to the expectations of the fans especially after losing to Ivory coast in last AFCON finals despite taking the lead in the first half, but I think with the right coach we can have a good team that can withstand any opponents and win laurels for the nation.

I dont agree with you. This is what they have made us believe, but deep down there are better coaches in the NPL that can coach the Super Eagles but personal appointment, favoritism and man know man wont let them appoint the best man for the job. I wont forget Stephen Keshi, he was one of the best African coach at that time. The Super eagles won the 2013 AFCON competition under Steven Keshi and they also progressed far during the World Cup.

[Youngrebel]

Current Discussion: African Nations Championship
This is a competition for home grown (based) players, Which means the international stars aren't welcome in this competition. It was created to highlight the talents of players playing in our different domestic leagues.

Thank you for this information and update. Nigeria home based that played in the African Nations Championship CHAN was not really well prepared for the tournament and they disgrace themselves in the international space. And I don't think any of those players would be chosen in any international team because I know that that is where good players are normally selected in the EPL European Leagues. And I didn't hear such from Nigeria side in this year.
AFCON in turn, well the international players in the team qualified the team to participate in the AFCON but we don't know what will happen in the main game. 

[Ronsbit]

However the case maybe, the Super Eagles are better under the leadership of a foreigner(a white coach) who can only make his selections based on merit and not tribal sentiments or due to pressure from those at the helm of affairs in the NFA, hence it is also very important that we acknowledge the fact the team has not been performing to the expectations of the fans especially after losing to Ivory coast in last AFCON finals despite taking the lead in the first half, but I think with the right coach we can have a good team that can withstand any opponents and win laurels for the nation.

I dont agree with you. This is what they have made us believe, but deep down there are better coaches in the NPL that can coach the Super Eagles but personal appointment, favoritism and man know man wont let them appoint the best man for the job. I wont forget Stephen Keshi, he was one of the best African coach at that time. The Super eagles won the 2013 AFCON competition under Steven Keshi and they also progressed far during the World Cup.

So far, all the NFF local coaches I have witnessed all did well, except for a few of them who tried their best but were frustrated by the political wing of NFF, and they all spoke up, letting Nigerians know what is going on in the NFF. As for the foreign coaches, none of them have done well compared to the era of  Johannes "Jo" Bonfrère and Clemens Westerhof, these two would never be forgotten in the history of Nigerian football so easily. We have good local coaches who could do perfectly well, but the NFF would never cherish their own instead, they would play politics with everything, messing up the system. Look at our Falcons, local coaches head the team, and they have been victorious in their tournaments, returning home with a trophy, but the reverse is always the way for the Super Eagles.