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

[Africolo]

We can only pray and hope but I feel the eagles needs more the kind of play they have been on since  the race for the qualifications amd with the rumours of Osimhen been injured, that will be a bit one on the super eagles? I have not really confirmed how true though but the eagles needs more effort to help them soar high enough as the eagles that they are.

The players need be awakened because we cannot afford not to be in the World cup this time around, the first time it is hosted in multiple locations., a lot of reason are there for the Eagles to make sure they fly high up in the coming world cup.

Osimhen has been flew to Turkey for medical examination, he's going to be a big miss but we have a big team and some good replacements in his position.

Time for his team mates to step up his absent to do the needful, we can't afford to drop a single point in that game.

[Issa56]

As I have also said, I have lost hope that Nigeria will be in the next World Cup.

I guess you are not the only one, super eagles doesn’t look like a team that wants to play in the World Cup. Before they will be able to qualify, they should win all the matches which they are having left, and I don’t even think that’s going to be possible. Nigeria next match will be against South Africa, I don’t really think the eagles will be able to win South Africa in the match, the super eagles have a good squad, but South Africa plays better than them, so I just have the feelings that South Africa might be winning the match.

I was surprised with how the super eagles played poorly against Rwanda, the super eagles were able to secure three points in the match, but it’s surprising with the way they struggled in the match, a team that the super eagles are suppose to find easy to win, but they struggled to win.

[Franctoshi]

Although I can only work out of there match if they are wining against them because of messing up. There was an aggression against Osimhen that I think referee should have done better than that because his aiming wasn't on the ball and before he could reach Osimhen the ball was no longer there but he instead strike Osimhen leg that could have actually affected his kneel,

It was his ankle that was affected, and he was not happy about the tackle because he understands how important that game is for the Super Eagles and how important he is to the team.

As a result of the injury, Osimhen has not travelled with the Super Eagles team to South Africa and will be absent for that game.

That Rwandan player has ruined everything for the super eagles because the hope of winning South Africans by chance is no longer strong as we were thinking, perhaps the player plan was to really remove Osimhen from there match against them so that our front line will be empty without an enforcer so that they could win the eagles but nothing happened. Honestly without Osimhen against South Africans we can't win them because Osimhen personality is just one in the whole super eagles, although some others are fine but Osimhen is mostly the one who can do all the coordination on that front.

Osimhen is who he is today because he can single handedly change a game, win a match and bring the 3 points home, that differentiates him from any other Nigerian player out there, his presence is significant in the super eagles team, especially now that we need him the most to try to qualify. Osimhen's going on an injury or not participate in the against South Africa would be a no choice.

[DYOR+BTC]

Nigeria making it to the world cup won't be an easy task for the team because their is know zeal, hunger and perseverance to write their name in the up coming world cup tournament. The super eagles team lack the winning spirit despite the quality of players they have still their constant cause of inconsistencies is what  we don't know but all I see is a weak team except their will be change in tomorrow's game against South Africa.

[IceLincoln]

I wouldn’t say Nigeria didn’t show Rwandans that they’re the better side or the giants of Africa (which in recent times is only in name) but it was an exceptional performance by the Rwandan goal keeper that kept the goal sheet minimal. The Brilliance of Fiacre Ntwari who always turns into a prime Buffon each time he faces Nigeria and this is a goalkeeper who doesn’t even start for his club Kaizer Chiefs. Though our boys should have done more, even Lookman there was a rebound he should have buried but it was a double save for Fiacre Ntwari. If not for the goalkeeper Nigeria should have had atleast 3 goals but we just have to focus on beating South Africa, no matter what we’re still bigger than them.

You know why I sound so doubtful of Nigeria being able to deal with South Africa? Because I see how they struggle against teams they should naturally beat easily. To be honest, small teams are having the morale to challenge Nigeria because they've got the confidence that they can stand a chance.
In Lookman's case, permit me to say he was the only player that played the game like he'd do at his club side. All I'm saying is that this game against SA won't just be about bragging rights alone but a chance for Nigeria to close the gap the group leaders have over them.

Nice analysis by the way, bruh.

Yeah the game against South Africa is a must win for us but isn’t the same for them, they’ll try to frustrate our efforts and now there’s no Osimhen who always comes through for us in difficult matches, I just wish the other guys can step up cos we have the team and players to win South Africa any day not downgrading the Bafana Bafana team who has been in fine form and topping the table.
I was confident we were going to win when we had Osimhen, now I’m not too sure anymore though we have better stats above them on Head to Head and Nigerian Super Eagles tend to play better when facing a strong opponent, the last time South Africa won us was 2017.

[Berry2d]

In some hours time south Africa will host Nigeria in Bloemfontein for one of the most challenging game in the world cup qualifier game. Nigeria had a weak performance in there last game against Rwanda although they managed to secure a second half win in the game but it was never an impressive performance for them on the game because of their inability to dominant and convert already established chances.
The day we all have being waiting for has come to confirm the tactical improvement chile the Nigeria coach promised in their last game is here we all will be waiting to see if it can come to pass although looking at the both teams, the super eagle's has what it take to win the game without stress because both teams are not equal in terns of players quality and otherwise.

[KingsDen]

In some hours time south Africa will host Nigeria in Bloemfontein for one of the most challenging game in the world cup qualifier game. Nigeria had a weak performance in there last game against Rwanda although they managed to secure a second half win in the game but it was never an impressive performance for them on the game because of their inability to dominant and convert already established chances.
The day we all have being waiting for has come to confirm the tactical improvement chile the Nigeria coach promised in their last game is here we all will be waiting to see if it can come to pass although looking at the both teams, the super eagle's has what it take to win the game without stress because both teams are not equal in terns of players quality and otherwise.

All the calculations that Nigerians are doing concerning qualifying for the World Cup and all the permutations they have been doing online I have never been interested in anyone. I will only be interested if Nigeria will be able to win South Africa tomorrow. If only Nigeria is able to win South Africa will I be hopeful and start doing my own calculation from my end.

Now the big question is can Nigeria win South Africa? The answer is YES, Nigeria can win South Africa;
Another big question is, can Nigeria win South Africa without Victor Osimhen? The answer is also YES.
So, everything is possible tomorrow, let's be hopeful.

[Majestic-milf]

I think our super falcons are even more confident in their matches than what the senior teams are doing and they are calling their self super eagles, is the eagle still flying or struggle to fly, in Africa today, I can boldly say it that Nigeria is not the best, while when rating for the best 3, they may hardly make it in, all these should be put into consideration because their confidence in their matches are diminishing gradually except they changed a lot about how they playing and regain back their lost fortune to stand strong among the other African countries.

It's sad but true. Just seems as if what we have in the Super Eagles squad are a bunch of players who aren't willing to put in much work cause they don't want to get injured. See, call me a pessimistic somebody but it's getting harder and harder by the minute to convince myself that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup. You know how they behave. Give you the feeling that something might come out of them but on the D-Day, they mess up so bad that you watching them would feel like going on the pitch to take over from them.

[ajanwalker]

In some hours time south Africa will host Nigeria in Bloemfontein for one of the most challenging game in the world cup qualifier game. Nigeria had a weak performance in there last game against Rwanda although they managed to secure a second half win in the game but it was never an impressive performance for them on the game because of their inability to dominant and convert already established chances.
The day we all have being waiting for has come to confirm the tactical improvement chile the Nigeria coach promised in their last game is here we all will be waiting to see if it can come to pass although looking at the both teams, the super eagle's has what it take to win the game without stress because both teams are not equal in terns of players quality and otherwise.

Dude, you wrote that the match was in a few hours, and you posted this yesterday. While reading the article, I was looking for the score, thinking the match should have been played yesterday. The match is today, and there are still 12 hours left.
As for the match itself, I don't know Osimhen's situation, but I think South Africa will win.
If Nigeria loses today and Benin beats Lesotho, Benin will gain a significant advantage, making it even more difficult for Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.
Worst-case scenario, Nigeria will need a draw today.

[snipie]

It's sad but true. Just seems as if what we have in the Super Eagles squad are a bunch of players who aren't willing to put in much work cause they don't want to get injured. See, call me a pessimistic somebody but it's getting harder and harder by the minute to convince myself that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup. You know how they behave. Give you the feeling that something might come out of them but on the D-Day, they mess up so bad that you watching them would feel like going on the pitch to take over from them.

Nigeria isn't in its best shape for multiple reasons although they have good players. When it comes to today's match, it is like its last chance to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup. Super Eagles have to win it, they have to win every match in fact to try to pick the first spot which is hard to achieve I know. Trying their luck with the best four play-offs is risky and I think it is impossible comparing to the first spot.
I am not very confident about today's game by the way and South Africa is a good team.

[Nightwatchmare]

HT Nigeria 0: 0 Rwanda.

This is not a good result for the Nigerian team at this moment, the team is dominating the game in possession, corners and goal attempts but they have still finding it difficult to hit the back of the net, the fans and not happy because they know what the team stands to lose if they can't get 3 points in this game, I just hope Nigeria will not end this game goalless after their entertainment football today.

Arokodare has finally broken the deadlock for the Super Eagles on the 51st minutes of the match. The goal was scored six minutes after the second half kicked off. However, they struggled to find the back of the net but a goal is a goal despite how it was scored. This is a good performance from the Eagles and it would be lovely if they can double the goal. It's currently 1-0.

After Victor Osimhen was substituted on the 35st minute, i knew it was going to be difficult for the super eagles to score against Rwanda because Victor Osimhen who used to help the super eagles to score goals is no longer play the match because of the injury he sustained in the first half. The super eagles were lucky that Arokodare who was sub-in in the second half broke the deadlock for them on the 51st minute of the match. It doesn't matter if the super eagles struggled to score against Rwanda. What matters most is that the one goal earned the super eagles an important 3 points in their pursuit to qualify for the world cup tournament.

[Stepstowealth]

It's sad but true. Just seems as if what we have in the Super Eagles squad are a bunch of players who aren't willing to put in much work cause they don't want to get injured.

At this point, I don't know if it is the players, because we had this same set of players and they were excellent in the last AFCON where we came second. Our problem started again after Poserio left, the regular change in management has not given the team and coach the proper time to blend well with each other. Maybe they will pick up in time again, or they need to change the coach because if you think about it, and say we are able to make it past this stage and qualify for the World Cup, will it be this same coach that will take us there? Eric Chelle?  

[Barikui1]

Arokodare has finally broken the deadlock for the Super Eagles on the 51st minutes of the match. The goal was scored six minutes after the second half kicked off. However, they struggled to find the back of the net but a goal is a goal despite how it was scored. This is a good performance from the Eagles and it would be lovely if they can double the goal. It's currently 1-0.

After Victor Osimhen was substituted on the 35st minute, i knew it was going to be difficult for the super eagles to score against Rwanda because Victor Osimhen who used to help the super eagles to score goals is no longer play the match because of the injury he sustained in the first half. The super eagles were lucky that Arokodare who was sub-in in the second half broke the deadlock for them on the 51st minute of the match. It doesn't matter if the super eagles struggled to score against Rwanda. What matters most is that the one goal earned the super eagles an important 3 points in their pursuit to qualify for the world cup tournament.

Yes, it's true that getting the  three point is the most important thing but do you expect our super eagles to beat the south Africans like this?
When they can't even beat this Rwanda's convincely.
Honestly our super eagles are not good enough to beat the south African team that is leading the group because our attack is just too weak when victor osimhen is not in the field of play, and my question is that, is this how we want to go and play in the world cup if we eventually qualify from the back door?

Our super eagles really needs to improve in their play especially in front of goal if not, I don't see them beating south Africa, or even qualify for next year fifa world cup because they are not good enough to do so with what I have seen from them already.

[Nightwatchmare]

As I have also said, I have lost hope that Nigeria will be in the next World Cup.

I guess you are not the only one, super eagles doesn’t look like a team that wants to play in the World Cup. Before they will be able to qualify, they should win all the matches which they are having left, and I don’t even think that’s going to be possible. Nigeria next match will be against South Africa, I don’t really think the eagles will be able to win South Africa in the match, the super eagles have a good squad, but South Africa plays better than them, so I just have the feelings that South Africa might be winning the match.

I was surprised with how the super eagles played poorly against Rwanda, the super eagles were able to secure three points in the match, but it’s surprising with the way they struggled in the match, a team that the super eagles are suppose to find easy to win, but they struggled to win.

As far as African football is concerned, the super eagles has the best players and team, but when it comes to qualifying for the african cup of nations and the world cup tournament, the super eagles always struggle to qualify for the african cup of nations and the world cup tournament. The chances of the super eagles qualifying for the world Cup tournament is very slim. I know the super eagles always fails to live to expectations when their fans are expecting them to win a match, but i won't rule out the super eagles won't qualify for the world cup tournament till they play against South Africa first.

[Coyster]

Too bad that Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for the Super Eagles today. That tackle on Victor was very dangerous and i don't know what that player was thinking. The good news is that the injury is not too serious, just a bruise on his shin, so he will be back for his club and Nigeria very soon.

The news of Osimhens injury will come as a pleasant one to Bafana Bafana, everyone knows the threat Victor poses. That said, i still believe the boys can get the victory without the 2023 African best player. I cannot wait for 5pm (Nigerian time), i am going to be cheering the boys on for the 90 minutes, hope they don't let me down.

[Nightwatchmare]

Arokodare has finally broken the deadlock for the Super Eagles on the 51st minutes of the match. The goal was scored six minutes after the second half kicked off. However, they struggled to find the back of the net but a goal is a goal despite how it was scored. This is a good performance from the Eagles and it would be lovely if they can double the goal. It's currently 1-0.

After Victor Osimhen was substituted on the 35st minute, i knew it was going to be difficult for the super eagles to score against Rwanda because Victor Osimhen who used to help the super eagles to score goals is no longer play the match because of the injury he sustained in the first half. The super eagles were lucky that Arokodare who was sub-in in the second half broke the deadlock for them on the 51st minute of the match. It doesn't matter if the super eagles struggled to score against Rwanda. What matters most is that the one goal earned the super eagles an important 3 points in their pursuit to qualify for the world cup tournament.

Yes, it's true that getting the  three point is the most important thing but do you expect our super eagles to beat the south Africans like this?
When they can't even beat this Rwanda's convincely.
Honestly our super eagles are not good enough to beat the south African team that is leading the group because our attack is just too weak when victor osimhen is not in the field of play, and my question is that, is this how we want to go and play in the world cup if we eventually qualify from the back door?

Our super eagles really needs to improve in their play especially in front of goal if not, I don't see them beating south Africa, or even qualify for next year fifa world cup because they are not good enough to do so with what I have seen from them already.

I don't know if the super eagles can beat the South Africa team, but don't use the performance of the super eagles against Rwanda and believe the super eagles won't beat the South African team because each match have it own tactics and way to play it, and i believe the super eagles will perform better when they play against the South African team. In the past years we have seen the super eagles performing very badly during their world cup qualification matches, but when they qualify for the world cup, they improve their performance and perform better in the world cup. So if the super eagles luckily qualify for the world cup tournament, i believe they will perform better in the world cup.

[letteredhub]

I don't know what to say about the Nigerian team if the poor performance is from the players, coach or other related factors thats what i can't tell but all i know is they need to revamp there structure ...

I use to direct my blame to the head coach Chelle then I had to rethink about the total number of games the Super Eagles have played have played in the leadership of Eric Chelle,total of  5 games, 2 wins  and 3 draws which is really not bad, but then the players has to do better than what they're doing, let them makes sure to win rest of thwir games while we hope that the other opponents drop points. Winning South Africa in the next game is paramount, the result of that game will determine a lot for the Super Eagles destiny in the qualifiers.

With the way things are going, I don't think Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Let's be honest, what did Nigeria Super Eagles accomplish to qualify? We have never lost a game since the new coach, but that doesn't mean that our players are doing well. Nigeria has drawn some games that we were expected to win and be at the top of the table by now. If I remember when Nigeria super eagles used to concede goal in the last minute of match, it made me feel that the players don't deserve to be called super eagles because they don't act like the super eagles.

We all saw how the super falcons play against powerful opponents and win the game from 2:0 down,  if Nigeria qualifies for the next World Cup, it will be luck because Nigeria doesn't have any large possibilities to qualify for the World Cup, it has been a long time since Nigeria qualified for the World Cup. Instead of being serious and hungry to play in the World Cup, the players will not be serious, but once they return to their club, they will begin to play well in order to get the attention of other clubs to sign them.

It's a difficult situation to be honest with you and mathematically the odds doesn't favour us, at least not for now until today's games are played and by chance we win South Africa, and on the other hand Benin have to lose their game or even a draw with Lesotho which is looking not likely because Lesotho is one of the weakest team in that group, but if they can hold Benin to a full-time deadlock and Nigeria won theirs then a window of  possibilities can be open from their for Nigeria's qualification. The Super Falcons are in a different realm of play and I honestly don't like comparing them to the Super Eagles because it's a shame that the Super Eagles are lagging behind before the Falcons which wasn't supposed to be this way.

[Oluwa-btc]

The news of Osimhens injury will come as a pleasant one to Bafana Bafana, everyone knows the threat Victor poses. That said, i still believe the boys can get the victory without the 2023 African best player. I cannot wait for 5pm (Nigerian time), i am going to be cheering the boys on for the 90 minutes, hope they don't let me down.

It's a huge blow losing Victor Osimhen but we shouldn't lose faith already. This game is either you win or come back home for the super eagles. I'm keen to see how they react on the pitch. I get that records are meant to be broken, but this image below gives me some sense of peace and calm prior to the game.  We have a good defenders, we just need our strikers converting chances.

[IjawMan]

It is my prayers that the super eagles win that match as they go meet the bafana bafana of South Africa on tuesday to brighten their hopes to the world cup qualification. And in doing this they will have to attack more aggressively and stop seating deep in defence like they did with Rwanda in a match they were already possessing the ball. It will be a handicap for the super eagles that Victor Osimhen do not play due to his injury cause he is a key man in front and his presence alone is capable of creating pressure in the South Africa defence.

I pray Victor osimhen shouldn't miss the match against the bafana bafana of South africa because if he does,it will be a big setback for the super eagles of Nigeria. I do not also see the bafana bafana of South africa as a strong opponent that the super eagles of Nigeria cannot defeat. Judging by the records, in the last 10 encounters between Nigeria vs South Africa, Nigeria have always been the favorite here,our Super Eagles have won South africa 4 times while South africa were fortunate to have defeated the super eagles once. I think this match wouldn't be any different because our super eagles will eventually defeat South africa on that day.

Victor oshimen is confirmed to miss tomorrow game against the bafana bafana of South Africa so this means that there is more problems for the super eagles of Nigeria because he is one of the most important players when it comes to the super eagles of Nigeria.


With the way that the super eagles of Nigeria perform against Rwanda am not too comfortable with what the super eagles will perform against the south Africans national team and with players like oshimen not there it will be difficult for the super eagles.

I'm only getting the news late on Victor Osimhen confirmed absence in the match Nigeria eagles are to play against the bafana bafana of South Africa. It is a big challenge and a high stake for the eagles not playing their key striker in this match due to his injury, cause South Africa  they have not lost a match at home in this Group C since the qualifiers begun.

The head-to-head between the two opponents favours Nigeria which is obvious but considering what the super eagles performance has been of lately to that of South Africa in the group it sprouts some disbelief that history can repeat itself that simple for Nigeria to beat the bafana bafana boys presently. As a Nigerian I can only wish for their success at this moment.

[Abbatty]

Nigeria making it to the world cup won't be an easy task for the team because their is know zeal, hunger and perseverance to write their name in the up coming world cup tournament. The super eagles team lack the winning spirit despite the quality of players they have still their constant cause of inconsistencies is what  we don't know but all I see is a weak team except their will be change in tomorrow's game against South Africa.

Each time the super eagles play a lot of Nigerian have high hopes but they always end up disappointing especially in matches that is much needed. After winning last match against Rwanda there is now tension in the country about today's match, well if they don’t win today that will be almost the end in their chase for the coming World Cup.

If the super eagles are going to win today they need to bring absolutely everything to the game. They will need total awareness, they will need to mark and remark, they will need to able to create this chances that they create and above all they don’t need to concede first. It going to be hard match but let see if the super eagles can overcome this storm.