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

[CryptSafe]

What you have said is true, this is the same over confidence that made them played nonsense and lost matches to teams that are walkover for them. They were so over confident because of their squad and undermined their opponents thinking it would be an easy score for them but it because obvious that they were losing matches and most ending in draw which wasn't making any sense. So far, the best performance they've had so far since the beginning of this qualifiers is the home match with Benin Republic and to be frank I wish they could keep up with that performance till the qualifiers is over.

If they had sacked the former coach earlier we would have qualified without all this; the coach drew so many easy games and didn't even win to to 3 games, we went from top to bottom with him. This new coach hasn't lost a single game in 6 games since he took over, 2 draw and 6 wins.

The only team that could give us problems is Cameroon but I don't think the current Cameroon team are any better than us anyway.

Hehehe 🤣 "top to bottom" indeed even on FIFA ranking Nigeria dropped as well making me wonder the kind of mistakes the super eagles made in this qualifiers tournament. It is obviously clear that they including the coach needs to make an amend to properly regain their position otherwise they would keep dropping but if they are able to qualify with impressive performance this remaining matches, it would also help to boost their ranking back to the top in Africa.

As for Cameron I do not see them as any challenge if only we can put up with a very strong play much better than that of the performance with Benin Republic. Maybe we could win them with such approach but anything less than that, super eagles are out of the game.

[Adbitco]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

[Antotena]

Osimhen did what he did yesterday to prove them wrong. They had every reason to sign him a better contract, since he refused the Saudis, but they just figured they couldn't handle too much of him, which is what we're seeing today.
Scoring a hatrick in a crucial game like that is one of most decorative ways to promote oneself in football, and that has been recorded in his name.

I'm not expecting big teams to start rushing out for him (since they didn't even do it at first) but he's going to get a better at the end of the day, if he wants.

There are players that are seasonal, they just make an impact for a season, win one or two season and they are forgotten after but when a player is born or has a way to improve his performance on the pitch, no amount of side talks can bring down the players. The amount of hate in football is annoying, you see people hate players because of their race, some hate players because of their country, these behaviors need to be stop honestly, I don't know what they gain for a player to fall.

The media also need to do better, there is this thing they spread on social media and it's killing players, this hate are been spread by people that doesn't like a particular player, they spread bad things about them and when the player makes a small mistake, it becomes a meme to spread about, some people even take their hate to the field, even some other players hate on other players, this is why I love the fact that Osimhen doesn't accept any nonsense from other players, a tit for tat.

[Rruchi man]

With the change of formation and starting lineups, i think we are now ready to compete in the highest level, ...

I think you are just exaggerating, saying we are now ready to compete on the highest level. We are still very much below standard if you ask me; I don't think the Super Eagles can face the U21 team of Argentina, talk less of their senior team. I don't mean to be a pessimist, but don't get your hopes high; we still may not make it to the World Cup.

What do you guys think of players like Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi now offering themselves to play for Ghana in the World Cup now that they have been able to successfully qualify for it?

[Wakate]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

Depending on one particular person to do the finishing work on the pitch can be very risky because if anything happens to the person like injury, that can make the entire team to continue losing or drawing matches due to their are no player that can handle the role in a way that will result in goals. The Nigerian super eagle did a very good job beating Benin republic 4:0 which was unbelievable.

[CryptoBuds]

Depending on one particular person to do the finishing work on the pitch can be very risky because if anything happens to the person like injury, that can make the entire team to continue losing or drawing matches due to their are no player that can handle the role in a way that will result in goals. The Nigerian super eagle did a very good job beating Benin republic 4:0 which was unbelievable.

I was sure that Nigeria would win the match against Benin. But I was very surprised to see Nigeria win by a big margin of 4- 0. Osimhen scored  a hat-trick. As a result, Nigeria won by a big margin of 4 -0.

We know that nigeria is badly dependent on  Osimhen. And without Osimhen in the squad, we do not see good performance from Nigeria's attack. Nigeria's squad does not have any other  experienced and  talented player other than Osimhen. It is risky to rely on one player. But Nigeria has no other option.

[SatoPrincess]

...because our super eagles is not good enough to win this Benin republic team even on our own turf.

It would have been a very different discussion ongoing in this group had the Super Eagles been involved in a fatal air accident that claimed their lives. I am shocked that it has not been mentioned here.

The aircraft carrying the Super Eagles to Uyo made an emergency landing in Angola due to a heavy crack on the plane's windshield.


Glory to God that the situation was quickly noticed and it did not result in any serious accidents.

Flying with a cracked windshield challenges the structural integrity of the plane and reduces air visibility for pilots.

Thank God they finally made it back home safe and sound and a disaster was averted. Indeed flying with a cracked windscreen is very dangerous and poses a wide range of dangers and could cause a crash, who knows what the story would have been today but thank God nothing happened.

[SuperBitMan]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

Yeah it is very wrong to depend only on a player because it really affected the super eagles, Nigeria super eagles would have qualified for the 2026 world cup if victor osimhen was available in all the matches they would have at least won one of those there home matches they went and draw, it is very sad that Nigeria didn't qualify for this 2026 world cup, I'm not happy about it, I really don't know what the problem of Nigeria super eagles are because they missed the last world cup competition and they will also miss this one.
One thing I notice about Nigeria super eagles the reason why they cannot qualify is because they are not playing with everything they have in them, they are not playing with the mind of winning, we have good players and still we are always in a situation like this.

Congratulations to all Africa countries that qualifed go out there and make us proud.

[Mayor of ogba]

With the change of formation and starting lineups, i think we are now ready to compete in the highest level, ...

I think you are just exaggerating, saying we are now ready to compete on the highest level. We are still very much below standard if you ask me; I don't think the Super Eagles can face the U21 team of Argentina, talk less of their senior team. I don't mean to be a pessimist, but don't get your hopes high; we still may not make it to the World Cup.

What do you guys think of players like Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi now offering themselves to play for Ghana in the World Cup now that they have been able to successfully qualify for it?

If I am the head coach of Ghana, since Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah knew about the World Cup qualifiers and they were fit to play for Ghana and help Ghana qualify for the World Cup, but they didn't show any interest to play for Ghana in that period, I will never give them a chance to represent Ghana in the World Cup because it will be a big disrespect for those players that came and helped Ghana qualify for the World Cup.

[igebotz]

Thank God they finally made it back home safe and sound and a disaster was averted. Indeed flying with a cracked windscreen is very dangerous and poses a wide range of dangers and could cause a crash, who knows what the story would have been today but thank God nothing happened.

This was an incident a day before the game against Benin it's nothing new and there was absolutely no reason to quote something buried 5 pages ago. It's spam

If I am the head coach of Ghana, since Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah knew about the World Cup qualifiers and they were fit to play for Ghana and help Ghana qualify for the World Cup, but they didn't show any interest to play for Ghana in that period, I will never give them a chance to represent Ghana in the World Cup because it will be a big disrespect for those players that came and helped Ghana qualify for the World Cup.

There are still AFCON coming up, too many games to play before World cup so yeah they'd be useful and important additions to the team.

[Lida93]

Snip.

Snip.

Big congratulations everywhere for the Super Eagles. Let's not forget that the road to the World Cup for them is still on the hard way, not yet accomplished, as they will think of facing Gabon and Cameroon next for the World Cup qualification play-off.

On November 13, the Super Eagles would take on Gabon at home. The result of the game would decide our fate in the World Cup qualification for next year.

These congratulations showered on the Super Eagles are they for their  qualifying to the African FIFA World Cup qualifiers playoff or what? If that's the case then  I would caution we hold the excitement because the bigger challenge has only just started for Nigeria in fighting for the spot through the playoffs.

And it doesn't just end there with any of the  four Africans team that will win in the playoffs , the team would still go on to play  another playoff called the Intercontinental playoff.  At that stage the African team would meet other teams from other continents and it's not going to be a funny challenge because it's just another level of competition before you can actually qualify for the 2026 WC.

[Cryptoprincess101]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

There is something you need to understand; this is not a matter of over dependency of a particular player but there is this influence that some players do have such that when they are not featured, the team won't be gingered at all. It's just like during the prime of Lionel Messi you will see that despite that his team have many quality players, but you can't compare the performance of the team when he is available for a match and when he is not. Nigeria do not rely so much on Victor Osimhen, besides if his teammates didn't reciprocate his energy would he have gotten the chance to score goals? so it's mainly based on teamwork and there is this morale and energy when Victor Osimhen is playing for the Super Eagles.

[Odusko]

It's official, CAF has made the draws for the playoffs and it's going to be held in Morocco where the 4 play off teams will face each other in two rounds which is the semi final and the final. Nigeria Vs Gabon and D.R Congo Vs Cameroon and the winners will face each other in the final to determine who will represent Africa in the inter-confederations playoffs. Gabon has been a very good side during the qualifiers and they will pose a serious threat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Gabon have been one team that have given Nigeria alot of concern and if care is not taking we are going to face a strong resistance from them we need all the best hands we can get and this is another time for player's like Victor Osimhen and the rest to prove us wrong and get us the goals, Cameron team arw going to get it easy on the other hands against DR Congo.

[Cookdata]

There is something you need to understand; this is not a matter of over dependency of a particular player but there is this influence that some players do have such that when they are not featured, the team won't be gingered at all. It's just like during the prime of Lionel Messi you will see that despite that his team have many quality players, but you can't compare the performance of the team when he is available for a match and when he is not. Nigeria do not rely so much on Victor Osimhen, besides if his teammates didn't reciprocate his energy would he have gotten the chance to score goals? so it's mainly based on teamwork and there is this morale and energy when Victor Osimhen is playing for the Super Eagles.

There is nothing like over dependency here. Okay, let's even talk about dependency, who among African player can run like Osimhen, can jump like him and score goals like him. Lookman is close but he isn't a striker. He is a winger and the say national team looks, we don't have good midfielders.  We have to rely on all our forwards which is why Osimhen is now the main guy, so there is nothing like over dependent on any player, its what the opportunity presents to super eagle they are working with at the moment.

Let's see what they ar going to play in this play off, the stage even as it is isn't going to be easy for them. The team is ready for anything. If in the end nothing works for them, at least they have tried there best. I assume Ghana are going to have something to talk about us this time around than the way we do give them sleepless night across all social media.

[BIT-BENDER]

It's official, CAF has made the draws for the playoffs and it's going to be held in Morocco where the 4 play off teams will face each other in two rounds which is the semi final and the final. Nigeria Vs Gabon and D.R Congo Vs Cameroon and the winners will face each other in the final to determine who will represent Africa in the inter-confederations playoffs. Gabon has been a very good side during the qualifiers and they will pose a serious threat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Gabon have been one team that have given Nigeria alot of concern and if care is not taking we are going to face a strong resistance from them we need all the best hands we can get and this is another time for player's like Victor Osimhen and the rest to prove us wrong and get us the goals, Cameron team arw going to get it easy on the other hands against DR Congo.

If Nigeria play like how they played against Benin Republic then I have no doubt that they will beat Gabon. Gabon has been in incredible form in the African world cup qualifies and even pushed the African champions Cote d'Ivoire to the last day before missing out on a spot.
I am rooting for Nigeria because I believe it is still very possible for Nigeria to make it to the world cup.

[Cryptoprincess101]

There is something you need to understand; this is not a matter of over dependency of a particular player but there is this influence that some players do have such that when they are not featured, the team won't be gingered at all. It's just like during the prime of Lionel Messi you will see that despite that his team have many quality players, but you can't compare the performance of the team when he is available for a match and when he is not. Nigeria do not rely so much on Victor Osimhen, besides if his teammates didn't reciprocate his energy would he have gotten the chance to score goals? so it's mainly based on teamwork and there is this morale and energy when Victor Osimhen is playing for the Super Eagles.

There is nothing like over dependency here. Okay, let's even talk about dependency, who among African player can run like Osimhen, can jump like him and score goals like him. Lookman is close but he isn't a striker. He is a winger and the say national team looks, we don't have good midfielders.  We have to rely on all our forwards which is why Osimhen is now the main guy, so there is nothing like over dependent on any player, its what the opportunity presents to super eagle they are working with at the moment.

Let's see what they ar going to play in this play off, the stage even as it is isn't going to be easy for them. The team is ready for anything. If in the end nothing works for them, at least they have tried there best. I assume Ghana are going to have something to talk about us this time around than the way we do give them sleepless night across all social media.

Let us call a spade a spade, for the fact that the Nigerian team made it to the playoff round doesn't mean that they have escaped criticism, if they don't make it to the world cup after all these hopes they have given us, we will still criticize them because normally they are not supposed to find themselves in this stage that they are now but due to their nonchalance in matches they would have won cost them what they are about to face now if not their group was one of the simplest group but they flopped many times.
     About Ghana throwing a shade at the Super Eagles if they don't qualify for the world cup, it's just a normal banter between both countries because am also aware of times when Nigeria threw a shade at them on many occasions.

[Cityhunter34]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

Obviously Victor Osimhe injury is actually the cause why Super Eagles didn't have automatic promotion.  But it's unfortunate to see that Super Eagles can not play a good football without Victor Osimhe because is something that I can not really believe after all the talented players that are in the team. Honestly, Super Eagles is bigger than this mess because I see no reason why Nigerian national team would feel that weak because of one man injury.

[SatoPrincess]

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.

I was totally against them winning today because in their previous games they weren't playing like a team that wants to play in the world cup but watching them perform today and carefully trash their visitors by 4:0 I had to support them because we have nothing to gain if we don't support our own.

Honestly the only reason I support this Super Eagles team is because I am a Nigerian but the Super Eagles are not a serious team that you can rely on. We are the giants of Africa but we don’t perform like we should as the giants of Africa.

[Mr Reporter]

The arguments are that Victor Osimhen's injury that made him away for  4 games in the qualifiers for the Super Eagles was part of what impeded the team from gaining some of the points they ought to have gained in those games they were having a draw. And I solemnly agree with the argument by just watching how Osimhen performed against Benin, scoring a hattrick and giving Nigeria a chance at the playoffs.
Are you asking about the playoffs or of our World Cup qualification stands. Please make your question clear.

This is the major disadvantage of having to rely on a single player as a whole team. When a team is built or they heavily rely on an individual brilliance to win matches that's one of the major effects it will have in the team. Just as you said, Osimhen non availability in the team for 4 matches cost them not winning at least 2 of it, which would have given them all the advantages they needed.

This is the major disadvantage of relying too heavily on a single player for the entire team’s performance.

When a team is built around, or becomes overly dependent on, one individual’s brilliance to win matches, it can have serious consequences.

Just as you mentioned, Osimhen’s absence for four matches cost them at least two potential victories — results that could have given them all the advantages they needed.

[Franctoshi]

It's official, CAF has made the draws for the playoffs and it's going to be held in Morocco where the 4 play off teams will face each other in two rounds which is the semi final and the final. Nigeria Vs Gabon and D.R Congo Vs Cameroon and the winners will face each other in the final to determine who will represent Africa in the inter-confederations playoffs. Gabon has been a very good side during the qualifiers and they will pose a serious threat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Gabon have been one team that have given Nigeria alot of concern and if care is not taking we are going to face a strong resistance from them we need all the best hands we can get and this is another time for player's like Victor Osimhen and the rest to prove us wrong and get us the goals, Cameron team arw going to get it easy on the other hands against DR Congo.

If Nigeria play like how they played against Benin Republic then I have no doubt that they will beat Gabon. Gabon has been in incredible form in the African world cup qualifies and even pushed the African champions Cote d'Ivoire to the last day before missing out on a spot.
I am rooting for Nigeria because I believe it is still very possible for Nigeria to make it to the world cup.

Obviously, that was a different Super Eagles we've been watching, their performance was classic, courtesy of Victor Osimhen's incredible performance. That level of performance needs to be continued,  well I guess it was due to the fact that Benin Republic is a very weaker opponent team when in comparison with Nigeria and in the group competition, But their game against Gabon, isn't gonna be smooth game for them like that of Benin, one thing I believe is tha, after that winning, the game boosted their moral up which will give them edge over Gabon.