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

[Ronsbit]

The performance of the super eagles clearly show's the capacity of whomever is their coach and I believe the players already know that. How can you explain all these ridiculous performances from the super eagles with a full international squad that could put an end to all this mess. But it is unfortunate that they are still struggling.to get the world cup

I think it's a good thing that the game against Benoit Republic is a home game that will play on home soil in Uyo, And it is possible that if the Nigerian supporters get behind this team and flood the stadium with their chants it will be encouraging for these players to put up a better performance and make qualification for the World Cup. It will be very bad however if the Super Eagles lose on home soil to Benin Republic in front of the home supporters who would be very optimistic about the result of the game and be hoping that the Super Eagles can and get all three points.

Nwabali has to be cautioned, there is no margin for error in this game if we must qualify.

The Super Eagles have every advantage over the next match as it is or would be played on their soil with the Nigerian fan base to cheer them up while they play. Compared to the Benin Republic players. They should make good use of this opportunity as it is their last match to qualify them for the ticket they are looking for. I just wish they could score more goals to be able to boost their goals delivered so that anyways it goes, the team would have their way.

xxxxxxxxxxthe Nigeria super eagles don't have their destiny in their hands because even if Nigeria beats Benin Republic nigeria hopes of qualifying for the world cup will still be hanging. Nigeria needs to pray that results go their way in the game between South Africa and Rwanda. south Africa will do everything possible to win so that they can qualify for the world cup because Benin Republic is likely going to drop points against Nigeria.

We would need to play now to get a place in the world cup as South Africa won their match to qualify for the world cup ticket. All we need now is for the super eagles to win their matches as this stage seems more like a knockout stage and any silly mistake, they are out of the game which I believe they all are aware of so efforts needs to go in for the match like never before. The team spirit they implored for Benin Republic should be unleashed against Gabon with full force.

[Odusko]

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.

Well let us hope that the super eagles will give us a bit of a supprise but definitely is not going to be easy at all since we have seen how weak our team have been and their already are relying on other team's performance to be able to secure a slot for the qualifying, so this game is a must win for them and another point for the players to make us proud and not the usual disappointment that we have always gotten from them.

[Roseline492]

...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.

Is like the news was withhold for a while from people to see because i didn't heard about this till now and I didn't see when you posted this information. This looks really serious and I'm happy they found safety when the time was not too bad, we were thinking about the match that was supposed to be played the next day but didn't no they were fighting for there live on the plane. Is the Crack supposed to even happened on the plane naturally? except it was too old or lack of service because this rarely happens to plane from my observation of the past occurrence I saw on the news. Is good it did not affect there performance with Benin because is enough to cause trauma considering what plane can do.

[Africolo]

What do you mean "taking us the world cup"? Like, are you really talking about him winning us the world cup or what? Or were you referring to qualifying for the competition in the first place?

I think he probably forgot a "to", so he wanted to say "taking us TO the World Cup", it's the only logical explanation because right now it's very hard to imagine an African team winning the World Cup. Morocco did a miracle back in 2022, will they be able to do it again? The chances are low.

Exactly what I wanted to write, I forgot the other word glad you read my mind cause no sane person would believe that this current set of Super Eagles would couldn't beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda when it matters to qualify automatically to the world cup would win us the world cup.

If there's any teams In Africa with small hope of winning the World Cup it's the North African countries. Nothing for the West African countries

[Smartvirus]

...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.

The integrity of the plane was already compromised because, the windshield is a vital part of that entire system. Ensuring the pressure within is maintained like a vacuum while the plane tiers its surrounding atmosphere.
I wonder if this wasn’t checked before given clearance to be in the air.

Is like the news was withhold for a while from people to see because i didn't heard about this till now and I didn't see when you posted this information.

Far from it, the news was everywhere, a day to the Benin fixtures even. Perhaps you didn’t have your ears on the ground else, you would have been well informed of the tragedy that could have befallen our Super Eagles team. Good thing they emerged unscaled and gave one beautiful performance against Benin Republic.

[snipie]

If there's any teams In Africa with small hope of winning the World Cup it's the North African countries. Nothing for the West African countries

Back in the days, West African countries were the best in Africa and I thought I might see them one day winning the World Cup like Nigeria, Senegal and Cameroon...
North African countries are good indeed and they used to be respectable rivals for the other nations but what precisely happened is that these teams improved a little bit while West African countries dropped a lot in performance. It is like moving teams from 5/10 to 7/10 and drop the other teams from 8.5/10 to 6/10.
It is unfortunate to see such sad reality for teams like Super Eagles who have many stars but struggle to pick a spot in this extended version of the World Cup..

[Agbam]

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.

The case of Osimhen and Nigeria, I don’t think it’s like the team is built around Victor Osimhen or that they depend solely on him but he’s the only one that brings his A game every time, he elevated the team, his attitude and force in the attack is what sets him apart, the goals are just there to coronate his personal efforts. Victor Osimhen is force to reckon with in the World of football and I like that he brings that to the National team.

The Nigerian Super Eagles doesn’t play for Osimhen, Victor Osimhen plays for the Nigerian Team.

[Zackz5000]

What do you mean "taking us the world cup"? Like, are you really talking about him winning us the world cup or what? Or were you referring to qualifying for the competition in the first place?

I think he probably forgot a "to", so he wanted to say "taking us TO the World Cup", it's the only logical explanation because right now it's very hard to imagine an African team winning the World Cup. Morocco did a miracle back in 2022, will they be able to do it again? The chances are low.

Exactly what I wanted to write, I forgot the other word glad you read my mind cause no sane person would believe that this current set of Super Eagles would couldn't beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda when it matters to qualify automatically to the world cup would win us the world cup.

If there's any teams In Africa with small hope of winning the World Cup it's the North African countries. Nothing for the West African countries

Don't you think that an African country could have won the World Cup tittle if African players abroad where to play in their various countries? The last team that won the world Cup for France was almost black Africans.

No body can tell but i believe an African country will win the FIFA World Cup one day, Ghana and Morocco has been the two African countries that has played far in the FIFA World Cup tournament, if other Super eagles players can be serious like Victor Osimhem Nigeria can win the world cup but due to the unseriousness in the team we are finding it hard to even qualify for the World Cup.

[Wakate]

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.

This is crazy and very surprising to me seeing that the Nigeria as a whole would have start mourning these great players that had delivered the country from reproach. Their skill and tactics was perceived and their performances was extraordinary compared to what we have been seeing them play in their previous matches due to the absence of Victor Osinhem which scored hatrick before he was exchange to another player that concluded the victory.

[Iroh]

The case of Osimhen and Nigeria, I don’t think it’s like the team is built around Victor Osimhen or that they depend solely on him but he’s the only one that brings his A game every time, he elevated the team, his attitude and force in the attack is what sets him apart, the goals are just there to coronate his personal efforts. Victor Osimhen is force to reckon with in the World of football and I like that he brings that to the National team.

The Nigerian Super Eagles doesn’t play for Osimhen, Victor Osimhen plays for the Nigerian Team.

I get your point and I agree. I don't think the team is built around him. Although he's a charismatic player whose skill and energectic type of play on the field has made him quite invaluable to the team.
I say he's invaluable cause, asides his skills and performance on the field, he, motivates his teammates to want to do more and better with every chance they get. With the energy he brings to the game, any teammate of his would want to step and play their best. He had a good game against Benin, bagging a hat trick. Nice performance overall for the team.

[Wakate]

I get your point and I agree. I don't think the team is built around him. Although he's a charismatic player whose skill and energectic type of play on the field has made him quite invaluable to the team.
I say he's invaluable cause, asides his skills and performance on the field, he, motivates his teammates to want to do more and better with every chance they get. With the energy he brings to the game, any teammate of his would want to step and play their best. He had a good game against Benin, bagging a hat trick. Nice performance overall for the team.

Osinhem is a big asset to the Nigerian team and without his efforts and courage to bring the team to unity making sure that other players can cooperate will make the Nigeria to lose the match. He school the highest goals and make everything looks easy. Every of the players were prepared for winning and I like how they all performed without being selfish. That match was extraordinary and I know some fans are still quite surprised till today.

[8rch7]

The case of Osimhen and Nigeria, I don’t think it’s like the team is built around Victor Osimhen or that they depend solely on him but he’s the only one that brings his A game every time, he elevated the team, his attitude and force in the attack is what sets him apart, the goals are just there to coronate his personal efforts. Victor Osimhen is force to reckon with in the World of football and I like that he brings that to the National team.

The Nigerian Super Eagles doesn’t play for Osimhen, Victor Osimhen plays for the Nigerian Team.

Just remember, Nigeria still not qualifying to World Cup 2026 for awhile after finishing 2nd position and loss from South Africa finish at 1st position standings group qualifier. Victor Osimhen have to play at playoff round if want qualifying and participating at World Cup 2026, although have top players Nigeria get difficulty although have Osimhen but still can't help more his national team qualifying directly to World Cup.

So far have 9 African national team have qualified to World Cup after finishing at 1st standings position at group qualifier round.

• Egypt
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Cape Verde
• Morocco
• Ivory Coast
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Ghana

[Fiatless]

So far have 9 African national team have qualified to World Cup after finishing at 1st standings position at group qualifier round.

• Egypt
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Cape Verde
• Morocco
• Ivory Coast
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Ghana

4 North African countries
4 West African countries
1 South African country
In the playoff, there are Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon, two West African and two Central African countries. From this data, it's clear that North Africa and West Africa are still dominating the football space of the continent. The North Africans have the best leagues on the continent, while the West African counterpart has the highest number of foreign-based players.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Just remember, Nigeria still not qualifying to World Cup 2026 for awhile after finishing 2nd position and loss from South Africa finish at 1st position standings group qualifier. Victor Osimhen have to play at playoff round if want qualifying and participating at World Cup 2026, although have top players Nigeria get difficulty although have Osimhen but still can't help more his national team qualifying directly to World Cup.

Please Osimhen tired his best for the national side and without him Nigeria won't had gotten this chance that they now have. When the nation needed him the most, he turned up with a hat trick and that goes to show how important he's to the super eagles. I mean the boys couldn't do anything without him because we saw how awful the boys were playing when he wasn't in the squad due to injuries, the goals weren't coming in either. Atleast now the super egales have another lifeline that can take them to the world cup which might even be many of the players last chance at playing in this tournament. The super eagles might have not have qualified directing as many of us expected but atleast they aren't like others that don't even have a chance at qualifying. And the rumours that Nigeria got favoured isn't true either because the rules were already in place before the tournament began. Now what the boys just have to do is to make us proud by winning the last ticket to the world cup.

[Nightwatchmare]

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.

Congratulations to the super eagles for making it to the playoffs. Even if it's not certain they will qualify for the world cup through the playoffs, they should go and try their best, and we will be by their side to motivate them by cheering them up in Morocco so that they can bring home the glory. Gabon is good, and they are a tough opponent for the super eagles, and they have a player like Victor Osimhen who can lead them to the playoffs finals, and the player's name is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the weapon of Gabon. If the super eagles can silence Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they will be one step to the playoffs finals.

[Fiatless]

Please Osimhen tired his best for the national side and without him Nigeria won't had gotten this chance that they now have. When the nation needed him the most, he turned up with a hat trick and that goes to show how important he's to the super eagles. I mean the boys couldn't do anything without him because we saw how awful the boys were playing when he wasn't in the squad due to injuries, the goals weren't coming in either. Atleast now the super egales have another lifeline that can take them to the world cup which might even be many of the players last chance at playing in this tournament. The super eagles might have not have qualified directing as many of us expected but atleast they aren't like others that don't even have a chance at qualifying. And the rumours that Nigeria got favoured isn't true either because the rules were already in place before the tournament began. Now what the boys just have to do is to make us proud by winning the last ticket to the world cup.

It is on record that it was Victor Osimhen who single-handedly took Nigeria to the World Cup Playoff. In the last game against South Africa, Nigeria had just one shot on target because Victor was absent due to injury. The attack was totally blunt without him.

Nigeria was not favoured; they were just lucky. Since Eritrea withdrew from the competition, for fairness, there is a need to deduct points earned against the bottom-ranked teams. Nigeria was fortunate that it got just two points against the bottom-placed Zimbabwe

[Barikui1]

It is on record that it was Victor Osimhen who single-handedly took Nigeria to the World Cup Playoff. In the last game against South Africa, Nigeria had just one shot on target because Victor was absent due to injury. The attack was totally blunt without him.

The too much dependence on victor osimhen was one of the reasons we are in the play off now because we hardly get a goal when he is absent.
Furthermore, the first two coaches that managed our super eagles team especially finidi George, was the ones that killed our chances of qualiifying directly because they drew games we should have won, and the draw against Zimbabwe especially was the real killer blow of our chances to qualify directly, but all hope is not lost even though their are more tougher games ahead in the playoff than even in the group stage.
Let's first of all come out on top as the best among this four teams first, then we can fight our way to the world cup against the south, north American and Asian teams that we are going to come against in the playoff matches, if we can make it that far.

[Ronsbit]

...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.

We thank God for not allowing this to happen because what would we as a nation have said?  Our national team would never encounter such on any national assignment again we pray 🙏. They are trying their best and putting efforts to making sure that they make their country and father land proud. We pray for them as they travel air, land and sea that nothing funny happens to them.
It is right time we call these agencies to order. There should be a proper and routine check as to ascertain the durability of flights and any means of conveyance as it involves our sports teams most especially our national teams as to be sure of the condition of the flight or bus or whatever to be used to transport them to their destination. Enough of all these recklessness and carelessness.

[BitBakerr1]

It is on record that it was Victor Osimhen who single-handedly took Nigeria to the World Cup Playoff. In the last game against South Africa, Nigeria had just one shot on target because Victor was absent due to injury. The attack was totally blunt without him.

The too much dependence on victor osimhen was one of the reasons we are in the play off now because we hardly get a goal when he is absent.
Furthermore, the first two coaches that managed our super eagles team especially finidi George, was the ones that killed our chances of qualiifying directly because they drew games we should have won, and the draw against Zimbabwe especially was the real killer blow of our chances to qualify directly, but all hope is not lost even though their are more tougher games ahead in the playoff than even in the group stage.
Let's first of all come out on top as the best among this four teams first, then we can fight our way to the world cup against the south, north American and Asian teams that we are going to come against in the playoff matches, if we can make it that far.

Barikui1 you are correct if not for the poor performance we had before we would have qualified so easily, our former coach finidi George caused everything he was not a good coach Nigeria where able to win just 1 match when he was coaching and it was him that was coaching when Nigeria started this world cup qualifiers journey and he didn't give us good result, this our present coach is doing very well I really like the way he's coaching the Nigeria super eagles right now I believe we may qualify for the world cup Nigeria super eagles should just put in their best and leave the rest for God.
Victor osimhen is a very good player and we have seen that without him in the team Nigeria super eagles will find it very difficult to win matches his absence in some matches was the reason why we could not win one match in our home if he was around we would have won at least one match in our home.

[Roseline492]

4 North African countries
4 West African countries
1 South African country
In the playoff, there are Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon, two West African and two Central African countries. From this data, it's clear that North Africa and West Africa are still dominating the football space of the continent. The North Africans have the best leagues on the continent, while the West African counterpart has the highest number of foreign-based players.

There is no country from the East Africa on this first position, I'm surprised non of them came out while the other three has countries that will be going on the world Cup for them. West Africa is going to have more additional country to this four because we still have team coming from best looser so if super eagles made it then is also for the West Africa, although if they finally come out first there next round is assumption because is going to be four continents to provide the best two side but if super eagles went to the next stage and meet Bolivia from South America then we can qualify very easy because Bolivia is barely the squad of eagles as I'm not even sure there are any of there players in premier League.