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

[Cryptoprincess101]

What the Super Eagles displayed today is what i term a 'beautiful nonsense' game because since the qualifier matches started they couldn't win any of the teams in same group with a high score of 4:0 but today they did it against Benin when they know that they won't qualify since South Africa also won their opponent Rwanda and emerged group C winners leaving Nigeria in the second position and from the look of things, only the 4 teams with the most points in the second position will qualify for a play-off round and unfortunately Nigeria is at number 7 among the teams that came out second which implies that there is no hope for them anymore. That notwithstanding, i thank the person of Victor Osimhen for his love for Nigeria and the national team, he gave his all just to see that Nigeria qualifies for the world cup, but all his efforts has proved abortive since they couldn't make it to the world cup.

[Hardyrobust]

I was really amazed by super eagles performance today. I was actually doubting there performance , it was really a flawless victory. Oshimen performance in the match was really awesome by scoring the hat trick and onyeka scoring the last goal. The super eagles has really made Nigerian proud. If Nigeria is lucky we may be going for the play off and if super eagles should keep up with this performance we definitely qualify for the world cup.

[IceLincoln]

Benin Republic is now the third on the list.

Nigeria and South Africa will qualify.

Or am I wrong?

No, you're wrong only the first place team is qualifying to the World Cup.

Then the best 4 second place teams from all the groups will qualify but we're not even among the best 4 losers. As it stands Nigeria do not have any hope.

No Africolo, we are definitely among the best four second placed losers, we have Gabon, Cameroun, Nigeria and Burkina Faso these are the teams that have qualified for the CAF playoffs.

So the highest ranked according to FIFA Mens Rankings will play the lowest ranked while the second highest ranked and the third will play in a semi final match up and the winners will play a Final to determine who will be the CAF representative for the inter confederation playoffs. The team that wins will join one team each from AFC, OFC, CONMEBOL and two from CONCACAF making them 6 in total.

The four lowest ranked teams will play in a single elimination match where the winners will play against the highest ranked also in a single elimination match and the Final winners will qualify for the World Cup.

It’s a long way to go…. Just 2 slots that all these teams will be fighting for. Can NIGERIA MAKE IT?.

[Cossyblack]

Benin's World Cup dreams are over. Osimhen scored three goals, and Nigeria is currently leading 3-0.
Benin only needs a miracle to qualify for the World Cup.
South Africa scored twice in the first half to make it 2-0 and secure their World Cup qualification.
Nigeria's poor run has been ended by two wins in their last two matches.
Osimhen has proven to be a force for his team.

There's no match broadcast in my country, so I'm following the match on a betting site.
 Benin National Team controlled the ball but couldn't find any effective scoring opportunities.
Osimhen scored three goals and is aiming for more.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Osimhen put in a fantastic performance today.
Benin competed well in this group, but the quality of their squad wasn't enough

Exactly what everyone are expecting from Nigeria football team, like how can a team with such amazing squad always struggle to win matches and always find it very difficult to qualify for the world cup and they have star players scattered all over Europe like I don't really find it funny not at all, I'm very much impressed by Victor Osimhen the guy have a fighting spirit and he's very much eager to qualify for world cup because I can't imagine a player like him always fails to qualify for the tournament is quite embarrassing but thank God they're very much in a better position to qualify for next year world cup.

A big shout out to Nigeria goal Machine Victor oshinhem scoring 3 goals in a single match isn't a joke. Victor oshinhem performance against benin Republic was highly impressive. This is the winning I have been hoping to see and today victory butter my day. Benin Republic didn't believe they will defeated by four goals today in Nigeria. I love the team spirit by the Nigeria team,the way the players were connecting to each,the confidence, attacks and defense was great. Congratulations to our Super Eagles,I pray for more wins ahead.

[Mr Reporter]

Can you list the best 4 losers and why did you say Nigeria is not among? Remember that;

• South Africa is just 1 point ahead Nigeria
• Nigeria has higher goal difference that South Africa

So, what else does Nigerian Super Eagles need to do to be among the best 4 Losers.
You are also saying that the best 4 losers will qualify and I am hearing of playoff. Which one is obtainable. Please give verified information because I need it at this time.

This is the table for the playoffs/ second placed teams and we're not even in top 5 we have only 17 points   (all the teams that finished in 2nd place ( playoff table)

Only top 4 teams will qualify from here as the best 4 losers.



Charles-Tim no worries  

Keep calm, Nigeria has a big chance to qualify for the playoffs. Eritrea's withdrawal from the qualifiers will definitely benefit some teams and of Nigeria will be amongst them. The teams that come second in all the groups will have their points deducted. If you come second, the points deducted will be determined by how many points you gathered from the bottom team of your group. Nigeria is currently second in group C and Zimbabwe is at the bottom of their group. Nigeria got 2 points from Zimbabwe across 2 legs which is w draws. That 2 points Nigeria got from Zimbabwe will be deducted from their total points. Currently Nigeria has 17 points when you deduct 2 from that, it's going to be 15 points. Some teams that came second got maximum of 6 points from the teams bottom in their various groups, some those 6 points will be deducted, some it's 4 points. After all the deductions, Nigeria will move up the ladder and will be amongst the top 4 best placed teams for the playoffs.

well to me i feel they should be giving an second chance to show them self this time around because from my littel pretty analysis my people say it not the preson who start the race that matter but the preson who finished it and came out with fiying colours that matter so let all sat back and  enjoy the game, pulses there chances of qualifying just really got boosted just as you have said with their eritrea withdrawal this might really be a chance to boots them to the top, a strong performance against Benin Repubilc and having some favorable results could ptopel them into the playoffs just saying.

[Roseline492]

I think South Africa has to lose their game before Nigeria can qualify in the World Cup and now that South Africa is winning with 2-0 against Rwanda, I don't think Nigeria will qualify in this World Cup. This is what they would been playing from the onset, but they were not doing well, and it is in the dying minutes that they are playing good.

As we have won the match with 4:0 we have not yet qualified because is only the first in the group that has the privilege for that while those on the second will have to play with other countries that came out the same second position as them so is from there we would no if they have qualified that's if they will beat the ones they will meet. Were you thinking the super eagles is on the world cup after today?, they have best loser game to give them what they need. If other games was this nice what is the need of going for the critical way. I don't no what our national team would have done without Osimhen, it was totally unexpected for him to have a hard trick on the only match they depend on, as a good striker of the eagles he knows there was no need for him to waste time on his first goal and the rest of the two so he had to aim at the perfect unexpected position for the Benin goalkeeper, again Osimhen is the restorer of hope now.

[Mayor of ogba]

It is a thing of joy to tell the Nigerian team that they have done a very hood joy. It is quite impressive and I am sure that the Nigerian super eagles is ready for the next match, ready to impress her country winning this match when we all thought Nigeria is going to lose this match.
The team work was good and notable and Osimen has done well to score 3 goals for the Nigerian team to qualify which was unbelievable. The hatrick goal was amazing.

Because of the poor performance of the Super Eagles, no one expected they would thrash Benin Republic 4:0. The Super Eagles did a great job in defeating Benin Republic, but if they were serious when the World Cup qualifiers started and won Lesotho and Zimbabwe home and away, they would have qualified for the World, and we won't be here today praying for them to beat Benin Republic. The Super Eagles didn't qualify for the World Cup since they finished second in group C.

[Doan9269]

Benin's World Cup dreams are over. Osimhen scored three goals, and Nigeria is currently leading 3-0.

On a normal day, Benin shouldn't be a threat to the Nigerian Super Eagles, but it's only because of our inconsistence in playing that has made us stand in such position we are today, but as a concluding part of it, am so elated that at least this turned a victory match on us, because we are already qualified by leading with 3:0 and they seem not to be more coordinated for any chances of winning against the super eagles, congratulations to Nigerians and the Super Eagles for bringing us this far to qualify for world cup, even as the match never ends, we are still more positive that it's a done deal victory already.

I feel so disappointed despite the victory to have discovered that we still not qualify in contrary to my assumption that this may be the only last chance for us to being qualified for the world cup, what a shame, it's not by how far, but how well indeed, because for Nigeria not to qualify talks about lots in mind, which we have to consider from the way of our platform to the standard we have left behind, because we are not such a country that ought to be fighting and dragging on being qualified or not, had it been things have been done much better the earlier.

[iBaba]

Nigeria needs more goals before they can be qualify for the match, but now south africa has already scored 2 goals, it will be difficult for Nigeria to qualify, despite that Nigeria has already scored 2 goals by Victor Osimhen, I think more goals is coming from Nigeria side, but for Nigeria to be qualify, it lies on the performance of Rwanda, because if Rwanda draw the match and Nigeria score more than 3 goals , that means Nigeria will lead, but a situation whereby Nigeria end with 2 goals that means South africa is still leading, because by point South africa is leading and by goal aggregate, South is also leading.

All Nigerians need now is a miracle in the game between South Africa and Rwanda. The Nigerian Super Eagles are doing everything possible to score more goals. And are currently leading by three goals to nothing. But all we want now is for Rwanda to come back from two goals down to get at least a draw. We missed Victor Osimhen in the game against South Africa; we would have won that game.

The super eagle guys had to do what they did which was to win today's match with a convincing 4 goals but the truth is that's not enough because the South African guys also handled their business smoothly. For our players to have finished with 17 points is not a bad performance at all and considering how the qualifiers are structured we still have a realistic shot through the best runner up route but thats going to be quiet frustrating because today our boys gave in their best especially looking at how Osimhen went all out and wild with the hat trick but unfortunately that's football for you. We still need wait for other results and factors to be able to know whether you will succeed or not. I believe with our current form, we can definitely make the playoffs count especially now that we are still in the picture.

[Sexylizzy2813]

According to the guys in the studio, one of them said this is the first time Nigeria and South Africa are working hand in hand, a very funny statement honestly it wasn't a bad idea to see both nations agreeing on something, well the South Africa side are still on top as group leaders while the Super Eagles are going for the playoff which I don't see as an easy path for them but if they put on this same effort and add it with a little urgency, I don't think any national team will come close to beating us in this next challenge.
Having Osimhen playing like a hungry lion in any team will be a big motivation to the other players, he did well and also the other players but I still think that Niddi as the midfielder needs help in that position to reserve his strength when is time for a stronger challenge. As for the goalkeeper of the Super Eagles I think he still have so much to learn, going back to watch Vincent Enyeama is needed honestly, he doesn't know when to show that delay tactics and when to be fast in serving the ball when his team is in need of goals to get ahead of a game, even the ginger is nowhere to be found.

[Mr Reporter]

Benin's World Cup dreams are over. Osimhen scored three goals, and Nigeria is currently leading 3-0.

On a normal day, Benin shouldn't be a threat to the Nigerian Super Eagles, but it's only because of our inconsistence in playing that has made us stand in such position we are today, but as a concluding part of it, am so elated that at least this turned a victory match on us, because we are already qualified by leading with 3:0 and they seem not to be more coordinated for any chances of winning against the super eagles, congratulations to Nigerians and the Super Eagles for bringing us this far to qualify for world cup, even as the match never ends, we are still more positive that it's a done deal victory already.

I feel so disappointed despite the victory to have discovered that we still not qualify in contrary to my assumption that this may be the only last chance for us to being qualified for the world cup, what a shame, it's not by how far, but how well indeed, because for Nigeria not to qualify talks about lots in mind, which we have to consider from the way of our platform to the standard we have left behind, because we are not such a country that ought to be fighting and dragging on being qualified or not, had it been things have been done much better the earlier.

Well to me I feet it a big shame and slap to us as a country that Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup is a reflection of deeper issues in the country's football infrastructuructure, management, and development.

The Super Eagles' absence from the global stage for two consecutive editions highlights the need for reforms and investments in grassroots development, coaching, and infrastructure. Our so called leaders are really the cause of this bullshit, well in just few words I might say mother lucky might want to shine on us anything soon that really my belief because I’m still having the believe them.

[Coyster]

I wish we played this way throughout the qualifiers, too bad we only brought this version of ourselves in the last match. Over all, no team was really exceptional in our group, because despite our abysmal performance, we were only one point away from top spot. That said, congratulations to Bafana Bafana, they were one point better. But we also live to fight another day as we move on to the second round as one of the four best runners-up, if we win that round, then we move on to represent Africa in the play-off.

[DYOR+BTC]

What the Super Eagles displayed today is what i term a 'beautiful nonsense' game because since the qualifier matches started they couldn't win any of the teams in same group with a high score of 4:0 but today they did it against Benin when they know that they won't qualify since South Africa also won their opponent Rwanda and emerged group C winners leaving Nigeria in the second position and from the look of things, only the 4 teams with the most points in the second position will qualify for a play-off round and unfortunately Nigeria is at number 7 among the teams that came out second which implies that there is no hope for them anymore. That notwithstanding, i thank the person of Victor Osimhen for his love for Nigeria and the national team, he gave his all just to see that Nigeria qualifies for the world cup, but all his efforts has proved abortive since they couldn't make it to the world cup.

The super eagles thunderous win today is called beautiful nonsense, they have been on the qualifiers for months without a good win even with a weak team but pulled a destructive 4:0 super win today against Benin that was considered favorite to qualify for the up coming world cup tournament but their dreams have being shattered by The super eagles that their teams is controlled by political interference and decisions.  To be honest, I am not impressed by the super eagles win today because the win is of know use as mentioned above

[Agbam]

I must Say Victor Osimhen is a living Legend for the Nigerian National Team, Man shows up everyday 101%, the early games we played out draws he wasn’t part of it since he was available it has been one exceptional performance or the other. The Blood and passion in his veins is not in all the other players if not we wouldn’t be in this predicaments right now, that last Zimbabwean game is our downfall like this if only that 90mins late equaliser goal hadn’t been scored we would be on our way to the World Cup by now INSTEAD we have to do lots of Calculations and permutations to even get a spot at the play offs, where we’ll get to play about 4 to 5 matches to be able to qualify.

Put a Respect to the name of Victor Osimhen, he came through as a big star.

Now this performance begs the question Why now? What have they been doing since? Why didn’t they play like this all this while?…. I will blame Finidi George for our predicaments, he’s the architect of it all.

[Agbamoni]

After defeating the Squirrels of Benin, the Super Eagle has top 2 second in the group stage  with 17 points and 7 goals.
The Super Eagles have qualified to play in the round of play off. They will be facing 4 teams, as seen in the image. However the chances of qualifying for the world cup is a slim chance. Even if they win the continental stage of the play off, they will have to face other teams in the intercontinental stage of the play off.

Anyway good game from the today. If they initially started  like this, it would have been a different story now.

[SuperBitMan]

Can you list the best 4 losers and why did you say Nigeria is not among? Remember that;

• South Africa is just 1 point ahead Nigeria
• Nigeria has higher goal difference that South Africa

So, what else does Nigerian Super Eagles need to do to be among the best 4 Losers.
You are also saying that the best 4 losers will qualify and I am hearing of playoff. Which one is obtainable. Please give verified information because I need it at this time.

This is the table for the playoffs/ second placed teams and we're not even in top 5 we have only 17 points   (all the teams that finished in 2nd place ( playoff table)

Only top 4 teams will qualify from here as the best 4 losers.



Charles-Tim no worries  

Keep calm, Nigeria has a big chance to qualify for the playoffs. Eritrea's withdrawal from the qualifiers will definitely benefit some teams and of Nigeria will be amongst them. The teams that come second in all the groups will have their points deducted. If you come second, the points deducted will be determined by how many points you gathered from the bottom team of your group. Nigeria is currently second in group C and Zimbabwe is at the bottom of their group. Nigeria got 2 points from Zimbabwe across 2 legs which is w draws. That 2 points Nigeria got from Zimbabwe will be deducted from their total points. Currently Nigeria has 17 points when you deduct 2 from that, it's going to be 15 points. Some teams that came second got maximum of 6 points from the teams bottom in their various groups, some those 6 points will be deducted, some it's 4 points. After all the deductions, Nigeria will move up the ladder and will be amongst the top 4 best placed teams for the playoffs.

well to me i feel they should be giving an second chance to show them self this time around because from my littel pretty analysis my people say it not the preson who start the race that matter but the preson who finished it and came out with fiying colours that matter so let all sat back and  enjoy the game, pulses there chances of qualifying just really got boosted just as you have said with their eritrea withdrawal this might really be a chance to boots them to the top, a strong performance against Benin Repubilc and having some favorable results could ptopel them into the playoffs just saying.

Nigeria super eagles wouldn't have had any problem concerning qualifying for the 2026 world cup, Nigeria super eagles were just not serious with the match when it started, if they had won just one match in their home before now I don't think we will be here saying all these things Nigeria messed up they had every opportunity to win at least one match in their home but they did not they were drawing all the matches which is very bad, the way they played today shows that they were never serious with the other matches.

Well the FIFA world cup qualifier is over they have their rules and regulation Nigeria did not qualify and that is it they lost the chance to go for the 2026 world cup and that was because they were never serious in the beginning, this is making it two world cup they have missed I'm not happy with Nigeria super eagles they have good players that would have lead us to world cup and perform well in world cup but they couldn't.
I'm so sad right now but is fine congratulations to them for there win today.

[Tonimez]

Nigeria did a great job today against Benin republic to the suprise of everyone in the continent today. Benin who was topping the table hours before the last game ended up not qualifying or having hope of qualification any longer. The game of football is a very exciting thing how it could turn around overnight. Victor Osimhen has proven himself today and also proved his haters wrong. His three gigantic goals paved the way and the excitement was top notch. Congratulations to South Africa on their qualifications. Nigeria will be heading to playoffs and I hope they make it through.

Congratulations to the super eagles.

[Adbitco]

Nigeria 4 Vs Benin Republic 0 FT
Incredible win by the super eagles and Victor Osimhen proved once more why his so important for the team with his hat trick. Before now, his scored only 3 goals but today, he added another 3 in just one match to increase his tally to 6 goals in the qualifiers. In as much as Nigeria needed this win, I think it was South Africa that benefited the most from the win against Benin Republic.

[Mayor of ogba]

After defeating the Squirrels of Benin, the Super Eagle has top 2 second in the group stage  with 17 points and 7 goals.
The Super Eagles have qualified to play in the round of play off. They will be facing 4 teams, as seen in the image. However the chances of qualifying for the world cup is a slim chance. Even if they win the continental stage of the play off, they will have to face other teams in the intercontinental stage of the play off.

Anyway good game from the today. If they initially started  like this, it would have been a different story now.

I'm not even sure if the Super Eagles will win the continental stage of the play-off to qualify for the intercontinental stage of the play-off because the three teams they will play against are strong teams. If the Super Eagles want to have a chance of winning the continental stage of the play-off, they need to show more seriousness because they will face stronger teams in the continental stage of the play-off than the ones they faced during the group stage of the World Cup qualifiers.

[Silikiem]

What the Super Eagles displayed today is what i term a 'beautiful nonsense' game because since the qualifier matches started they couldn't win any of the teams in same group with a high score of 4:0 but today they did it against Benin when they know that they won't qualify since South Africa also won their opponent Rwanda and emerged group C winners leaving Nigeria in the second position and from the look of things, only the 4 teams with the most points in the second position will qualify for a play-off round and unfortunately Nigeria is at number 7 among the teams that came out second which implies that there is no hope for them anymore. That notwithstanding, i thank the person of Victor Osimhen for his love for Nigeria and the national team, he gave his all just to see that Nigeria qualifies for the world cup, but all his efforts has proved abortive since they couldn't make it to the world cup.

So this Super Eagles can actually take matches serious and out score their opponents, wow!! I’m really surprised at the character of this players especially when it comes to playing for the National team. From all indications, I think that the super eagles weren’t taking those previous games serious, they waited until this moment when is almost over to start showing up. Well, they managed to get themselves into the playoffs and this is where the real test is for them to truly show that they want to be at the World Cup 2026.