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

[Berry2d]

The Nigerian team did a surprising thing yesterday, giving room for other teams fans to turn us to laughing stock without even giving us little consideration how we will feel seeing the South African team holding then to a draw at last when we all know a win on that game gives the super eagles the chance of surviving in the world cup of. With the result of the  game it think they need to work on there coaching system even if it requires changing the cauch they should do it to free fans from their excessive constant heart attack.

[EL MOHA]

Nigerians already gave up like we have any chance to qualify for the World Cup, i don't want to say but Nigeria is unfortunate again that we can't progress beyond our equals and those who we surpass in the sports. It is really a disappointing moment for we Nigerians, our best in all the matches played wasn't enough to guarantee us a spot. What else is it to be surprised about, we all know how to build patience to wait for another World Cup Qualifiers.

This will be missing out of the World Cup for two consecutive editions for the giant of Africa, a country that has one of the highest number of top players in European football. Without this World Cup qualification I think the national team might have to take the bold step of actually restructuring the nations sport body because it is the root of all this mess where the players are not payed their dues and major reason why they don’t put in all their best.

After the top officials have been restructured then it is right time to also restructure the team, we have been inviting almost all same set of players for the past five years and nothing has been accounted for it is time for a change, even South Africa with most of their players been home grown have been doing excellent of late and to it is best Nigeria drops some names

[Mr Reporter]

It such a pity that Nigeria might not qualify for the world cup, but I am not surprised because I don't think they deserve it anyways. The issue is not about the last match against South Africa, but they have been fumbling all along.
Sometimes I feel the boys really don't take playing for the country seriously. I would have loved to watch them in the world,  but the chances are very slim. We can all see how the South Africa team are serious at every match they have played throughout the qualification and they deserve to be at the world cup. I wish them all the best and pray The Super Eagles learn from this mistake and try to improve next time.

Nigerians already gave up like we have any chance to qualify for the World Cup, i don't want to say but Nigeria is unfortunate again that we can't progress beyond our equals and those who we surpass in the sports. It is really a disappointing moment for we Nigerians, our best in all the matches played wasn't enough to guarantee us a spot. What else is it to be surprised about, we all know how to build patience to wait for another World Cup Qualifiers.

It's natural for fans to feel disappointed when their team doesn't meet expectations. However, it's also an opportunity to look forward to future competitions and support the team's growth and development.




The Nigeria's performance in the World Cup qualifiers the team's failure to qualify for the World Cup is a letdown for Nigerian fans, despite showing promise in some matches, the team wasn't able to capitalize on their opportunities, and aslo fans will likely need to wait four years for the next World Cup qualifiers, and there's hope that the team can improve and qualify in the future.

It's natural for fans to feel disappointed when their team doesn't meet expectations. However, it's also an opportunity to look forward to future competitions and support the team's growth and development.

[Stepstowealth]

It's natural for fans to feel disappointed when their team doesn't meet expectations. However, it's also an opportunity to look forward to future competitions and support the team's growth and development.

I think many Nigerians were not expecting much from them, the trajectory of the team was already seen and even though there still existed this hope that we could make it to the world cup.

It is much better we face this disappointment now instead of facing it later in the world cup in the group stages which I am very sure we would not have survived with this poor play. North African countries will still be better representative of Africa that us in the West or even South.

[nelson4lov]

11 points from 8 games.

Yup. We're pretty much cooked at this point after that loss to South Africa. I think there's a probability that we don't even make the list of best second place teams to go into the intercontinental playoffs.

What's more fascinating is the fact that he current super eagles team have more stars than our legends and yet, we struggle in almost every game to win convincingly.

If we continue like this, National football in Nigeria is NGMI.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

What's more fascinating is the fact that he current super eagles team have more stars than our legends and yet, we struggle in almost every game to win convincingly.

The new coach is a disgrace, he doesn't know how to get the best from the players. Look at how he played Lookman out of position and the boy was struggling all through the game. Lets not give up hope yet, we do better when we're calculating and I won't be surprised if the super egales find out a way somehow to qualify. We not playing at the world cup means our stars players will be in their 30's when the next world cup comes and that means they won't be at their prime and that's a shame. We had some decent players in a long time and they couldn't get us to qualify for the world cup. It looks like I'm dreaming because I can't believe this is happening. Is there still hope, yes but very unlikely to happen but let us keep watching.

[KingsDen]

11 points from 8 games.

Yup. We're pretty much cooked at this point after that loss to South Africa. I think there's a probability that we don't even make the list of best second place teams to go into the intercontinental playoffs.

What's more fascinating is the fact that he current super eagles team have more stars than our legends and yet, we struggle in almost every game to win convincingly.

If we continue like this, National football in Nigeria is NGMI.

There is something trending on the social media. It is about Jay Jay Okocha contesting for NFF president and Samuel Eto made a comment about it. Why is it trending this time. Is it the provocation of not qualifying for the world cup for two consecutive times or what?
Nigerians obviously have lost interest in Nigeria and the super eagles.
I don't know how giants of Africa can only get 11 points in 8 games in a group that the only threat was supposed to be SA.
Things are truly not correct with Nigeria and in extension to my club Manchester United. This season's football is not enjoyable atol.

[snipie]

Things are truly not correct with Nigeria and in extension to my club Manchester United. This season's football is not enjoyable atol.

Nigeria is far from its previous performance and far from qualifying to the World Cup. Even with the adjustment made in this new version, Nigeria still failing to qualify.
You mentioned Manchester United, I am sorry that both these teams are almonds like each other, big names of the team, big names of the players, low performance and bad results..

[Nightwatchmare]

South Africa 1 Vs Nigeria 0
I don't even understand this very match, as I was watching it, I was falling asleep because of how the game is going. What kind of pitch is this even? Did they organise a world cup qualifiers match on a swap pitch? Because that's what I'm seeing right there. South Africa is the more dominant team in this first half because since they scored,, Nigeria only entered their 18 yard box when they were about to play that corner kick, that's how inferior and toothless the Nigerian team has been so far in the match.

Edit
Finally, Nigeria equalises to make it 1 - 1 before the HT break. Need I stress that they are the ones that needs this three points most. They need to win South Africa

The pitch looks like it was deliberately selected so that Nigeria could not be able to perform well as we all know that Bloemfontein is not a place that the Super Eagles are familiar with. Out of the 13 times these two have met, it's only once that South Africa has won and would be looking to upset the balance.
What I noticed in this game really got me angry because it seemed like Nigeria didn't understand what was at stake in this game. Often making mistakes to the point that the first goal for SA came as a result of a mistake from  William Troost Ekong thanks to the fact that they kept mounting pressure on the Nigerians.
 Even though they are at a stalemate at halftime, what would determine that Nigeria takes all three points is if they add the fire that they started coming out with towards the latter ends of the half.

I would have to agree with you on this, because I don't understand the kind of pitch that the South African FA chose to use for the qualifying match Vs Nigeria. It's just as if it was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the other team with the pitch. It's not even looking nice, as if it's a match between two village teams up against eachother. The Nigerian team doesn't really understand what's at stake, maybe they don't want to qualify for the world cup because they have never been serious since the start of the qualifiers.

South Africa is one of the best African countries who owns nice stadium and nice football pitch, but if the football pitch South African used for the world cup qualifying match against the super eagles is as bad as you described in your post, then it was a deliberate act from the South African FA, and they did that so that the super eagles wouldn't qualify for the world cup tournament. However, i blame the super eagles for the way they were treated by the South African FA because if they were serious at the start of the world cup qualifiers, there is no way the South African FA would choose a bad football pitch for them.

[Cityhunter34]

Maybe it a good thing their hopes for the coming World Cup is sinking because I can’t imagine going to the World Cup and playing this way, these players don’t even fight for the badge. I’m even tired of complaining because it has been this way for over a decade. Missing out on back to back World Cup is unacceptable.

No matter what happens, having the Super Eagles in the Worl Cup will give a different vibe. I really wish we qualified but as it is now, I don't see much hope for us. With this draw today, South Africa have qualified since no one can catch up with them at 17 points which is 6 points higher than Nigeria and Rwanda who may win their match to take the second position. There is little hope for Nigeria because Rwanda did not have any reason not to finish higher than Nigeria.

This has always been my prayer everytime because we all know that the supper Eagles is not performing well, but watching the World Cup without seeing them makes no sense at all. Because no matter how poor performance your country used to be, let it be that they try luck with other countries, than for them to just give up in the qualifying stage. However, I just hope they get a win with those two remaining countries because it will definitely be a very big slap if they failed to qualifed in this 2026 World Cup.

[Nightwatchmare]

11 points from 8 games.

Yup. We're pretty much cooked at this point after that loss to South Africa. I think there's a probability that we don't even make the list of best second place teams to go into the intercontinental playoffs.

What's more fascinating is the fact that he current super eagles team have more stars than our legends and yet, we struggle in almost every game to win convincingly.

If we continue like this, National football in Nigeria is NGMI.

When the super eagles drew with the South African team, i prayed so hard for Lesotho to defeat Benin from away so that the super eagles would have a chance of qualifying for the upcoming world cup tournament that will be taking place in the United States next year but my prayer weren't answered because Benin defeated Lesotho by 4 goal to nil. The super eagles finished 3rd position in their world cup qualification group, so it is clear the super eagles won't make it to the list of best second place teams to go into the intercontinental playoffs.

[Umulala-alala]

Nigerians already gave up like we have any chance to qualify for the World Cup, i don't want to say but Nigeria is unfortunate again that we can't progress beyond our equals and those who we surpass in the sports. It is really a disappointing moment for we Nigerians, our best in all the matches played wasn't enough to guarantee us a spot. What else is it to be surprised about, we all know how to build patience to wait for another World Cup Qualifiers.

This will be missing out of the World Cup for two consecutive editions for the giant of Africa, a country that has one of the highest number of top players in European football. Without this World Cup qualification I think the national team might have to take the bold step of actually restructuring the nations sport body because it is the root of all this mess where the players are not payed their dues and major reason why they don’t put in all their best.

After the top officials have been restructured then it is right time to also restructure the team, we have been inviting almost all same set of players for the past five years and nothing has been accounted for it is time for a change, even South Africa with most of their players been home grown have been doing excellent of late and to it is best Nigeria drops some names

It's shameful to see that the world will not be watching Nigeria in next year world cup tournament, Nigeria has the best players in Africa so it still surprise me how they were not able to qualify for the world if winning South Africa was the only way for Nigeria to qualify they would try their possible best to see that they win South Africa instead they played 1-1 draw
.
Osimhen not playing against south Africa due to injury wasn't a good one for Nigeria Osimhen is the only player in Nigeria that takes things serious when it comes to playing for Nigeria the rest only perform better when they are playing in the various clubs, is bad not seeing Nigeria play in next year FIFA World Cup.

[Abbatty]

This will be missing out of the World Cup for two consecutive editions for the giant of Africa, a country that has one of the highest number of top players in European football. Without this World Cup qualification I think the national team might have to take the bold step of actually restructuring the nations sport body because it is the root of all this mess where the players are not payed their dues and major reason why they don’t put in all their best.

After the top officials have been restructured then it is right time to also restructure the team, we have been inviting almost all same set of players for the past five years and nothing has been accounted for it is time for a change, even South Africa with most of their players been home grown have been doing excellent of late and to it is best Nigeria drops some names

The thing is, it not as if we don’t have quality in the squad, we do honestly, but what this national team lack is motivation, each times these players play for the national team it as if they are being force to play, you won’t see runs, you won’t see then trying to combine passes, you won’t even see them creating space for each other.

Towards the end of the game, we all know a draw is like a lose right, so I was expecting a high press from this players, I was expecting them to be at South African goal post and trying to play a long ball in but to my big surprise South Africa was keeping the ball comfortably in their half with no player pressing them.

Well a lot needs to be done in the national team, right from the top. If losing out in this World Cup will bring a change in the national team then it better we lose out in it.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Osimhem not playing against south Africa due to injury wasn't a good one for Nigeria Osimhem is the only player in Nigeria that takes things serious when it comes to playing for Nigeria the rest only perform better when they are playing in the various clubs, is bad not seeing Nigeria play in next year FIFA World Cup.

But have we not qualified like is there no chances for something to happen and we still qualify? We win our next two game and we go for the playoff which if we win we stand a chance to play in the world cup right?. All roads aren't close. South Africa did us dirty in the last game, I don't think they came to win that game, they just wanted to frustrate us and was okay with a draw which they got.  Nigeria not qualifying even after the list was increased to 10 for African countries (9 guaranteed and +1 one if we win the playoffs) speaks loudly about the the form of the super eagles players.

[Wiwo]

Osimhem not playing against south Africa due to injury wasn't a good one for Nigeria Osimhem is the only player in Nigeria that takes things serious when it comes to playing for Nigeria the rest only perform better when they are playing in the various clubs, is bad not seeing Nigeria play in next year FIFA World Cup.

But have we not qualified like is there no chances for something to happen and we still qualify? We win our next two game and we go for the playoff which if we win we stand a chance to play in the world cup right?. All roads aren't close. South Africa did us dirty in the last game, I don't think they came to win that game, they just wanted to frustrate us and was okay with a draw which they got.  Nigeria not qualifying even after the list was increased to 10 for African countries (9 guaranteed and +1 one if we win the playoffs) speaks loudly about the the form of the super eagles players.

Hope, in the next match the Nigeria team will feature players like Osimhen and any other Frontline strikers who can delver goals in the match, but to be sincere with you, most Nigerians have lost the hope in our national team ability to qualify even with the extra window opened to them to get into the world cup.

Is going to be hard for the Nigeria supper eagle to be able to win they up coming games haven't struggled all this while in the qualifying stage, so not now that we have 1 slot to fight for against other strong and desperate teams who also aimed at representing their country in the FIFA world cup.

[Juicyhome]

It's shameful to see that the world will not be watching Nigeria in next year world cup tournament, Nigeria has the best players in Africa so it still surprise me how they were not able to qualify for the world if winning South Africa was the only way for Nigeria to qualify they would try their possible best to see that they win South Africa instead they played 1-1 draw
.
Osimhem not playing against south Africa due to injury wasn't a good one for Nigeria Osimhem is the only player in Nigeria that takes things serious when it comes to playing for Nigeria the rest only perform better when they are playing in the various clubs, is bad not seeing Nigeria play in next year FIFA World Cup.

The Nigerians players are the worst set of the super eagle squad we have had in recent time, the annoying part is that they are all started in their various clubs. But when it comes to represent this country they will not play give their best for the flag, Imagine Nigeria not playing in world cup in two times in a  roll. The players are not serious at atall, watching their games will give you Bp. Its a shame that Nigeria will not be at the world cup with number of stars we have in the team.

Osimhen is just faking injury, nothing happened to him, he does not want to sacrifice or risky his leg for the team, knowing they will not qualify to the world, he just want to save his legs for his club. Because the country has not god welfare for the players, one have to be careful when playing for a country like Nigeria.

[Nheer]

Nigerians already gave up like we have any chance to qualify for the World Cup, i don't want to say but Nigeria is unfortunate again that we can't progress beyond our equals and those who we surpass in the sports. It is really a disappointing moment for we Nigerians, our best in all the matches played wasn't enough to guarantee us a spot. What else is it to be surprised about, we all know how to build patience to wait for another World Cup Qualifiers.

With the way the team play they are already discouraging everyone that supports them. They don't play with their full hearts they don't give their all for their country the way other players do for their country as it is very disappointing. I am not surprised again because this performance has been there for a while now with no improvements, it's disappointing not to qualify for the world cup but with this performance i think not qualifying will do us a favor of not being humiliated at the world cup.

This will be missing out of the World Cup for two consecutive editions for the giant of Africa, a country that has one of the highest number of top players in European football. Without this World Cup qualification I think the national team might have to take the bold step of actually restructuring the nations sport body because it is the root of all this mess where the players are not payed their dues and major reason why they don’t put in all their best.

So sad, I feel sorry for the supporters. I think you're right, the problem could really be from the roots, and things needs restructuring. I see a lot of reasons why the players are not performing well, players not being paid will definitely discourage the players and also I am not impressed with how the team train when they are back for  international duties, compared to other countries Nigeria doesn't really do much drills, from what I see online they just do light work and stretches which is not enough, this is football and what you do in training is what will reflect in matches. So for that I think the coaches are not doing well also.
Coming to think of it I think the overall problem is definitely from the poor payment system because no player will want to go through rigorous training when not being paid so the problem is definitely from the roots

[Promocodeudo]

But have we not qualified like is there no chances for something to happen and we still qualify? We win our next two game and we go for the playoff which if we win we stand a chance to play in the world cup right?. All roads aren't close. South Africa did us dirty in the last game, I don't think they came to win that game, they just wanted to frustrate us and was okay with a draw which they got.  Nigeria not qualifying even after the list was increased to 10 for African countries (9 guaranteed and +1 one if we win the playoffs) speaks loudly about the the form of the super eagles players.

Why must the super eagles allow themselves to be in this daisy situation all the time, they started from the point where south Africa started and have come in contact with teams that they would've defeated convincingly and what did we see nothing, it is too bad, even though we get to the point of being part of the play off, how are we sure that we can make it, for me, I will only get convinced if we make it to the world cup, I don't think South Africa national team did anything to us because football is all about being smart, they acted smartly and it worked for them, why didn't we get serious earlier, south Africa team did all they did for their own interest which is good for them.

[Frankolala]

11 points from 8 games.

Yup. We're pretty much cooked at this point after that loss to South Africa. I think there's a probability that we don't even make the list of best second place teams to go into the intercontinental playoffs.

What's more fascinating is the fact that he current super eagles team have more stars than our legends and yet, we struggle in almost every game to win convincingly.

If we continue like this, National football in Nigeria is NGMI.

I am not happy with the outcome of all their matches, because there is nothing to show that the squad has the best players compared to back days. NFF system is not working are we not seeing it like that, why will there be a lot of stars in the team and yet failures have been the order of the day. Eleven matches should be a total of 33 points but look at them, they were able to get 11 points which is one-third. Poor result.

[Ronsbit]

I checked this morning, and one of the online dailies is already making waves about the interview granted by Chelle. From the looks of it, he is blaming the pitch for making the players lose balance and focus. This may be a way to cover up his mistakes while blaming it on the pitch this time, and already there is another rumour going on that NFF is planning on sacking him for his shortcomings in these qualifier matches, which has not been okay with Nigerians.  Are we aware of these updates? Do you think such complaints justify the performance of the team

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