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

[Marykeller]

I think we as a people have given up on the system. It’s all talk and no action, the government makes laws but don’t enforce it, they file cases but don’t actually persecute. What makes it worse is that the people do not care anymore, we are basically governing ourselves now; we provide our own electricity; we provide our own security and healthcare. All the basic amenities government is supposed to provide is left to the people.

The government not providing the basic amenities for the citizens of the country is making most Nigerians think that any official duty assigned to them by the government they see as an opportunity to siphon money that will enrich them and their families. What they will do is to settle a few personalities in the government who will have their backs covered if corruption cases are raised against them.

That's why corruption is hard to let go of in the country, since everyone sees it as an opportunity to siphon money. At the very end, they will work free as a free man without being persecuted

[SatoPrincess]

 

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

I think it will look better if you adjust the size of the images to the one I quoted. It’s hard to say which team will top their groups at this point. I have personal favorites because my country is there but I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and see if the tournament is entertaining enough to watch.

[uche6215]

The government not providing the basic amenities for the citizens of the country is making most Nigerians think that any official duty assigned to them by the government they see as an opportunity to siphon money that will enrich them and their families. What they will do is to settle a few personalities in the government who will have their backs covered if corruption cases are raised against them.

That's why corruption is hard to let go of in the country, since everyone sees it as an opportunity to siphon money. At the very end, they will work free as a free man without being persecuted

You are not far from the truth. But before the ordinary citizens have the mond to embezzle funds to develop something, the head is already corrupt and the management of the said organization would thought that the government can't do them anything because they are supporting the government. Look at what is happening in the present government. If a politician steal enough money like present and former Delta State governors stole Trillions of Naira and and APC gover.government said, if they cross over their sins would be forgiven and they cross crossover and they were pardoned pardoned.
So the issue is from the top. The financial law enforcement agencies are compromised. The Judiciary is compromised, and that is why NFF go away with the money meant to build a stadium in the country because they know that even they are caught, nobody can do them anything. Nigeria government will protect them.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Some of the clubs I don't know about but I'm familiar with River's United and Sundown and they'll be having my support. I don't see Enyimba on the list which means they didn't qualify which is a suprise to me because they're the only Nigerian club that I know have won the tournament.

This tournament is always dominated by North African clubs and I won't be shocked to see them win again because they're the ones playing the best football in Africa right now. I just hope the tournament is going to be a successful one and one filled with less controversy and corruption claims as that's spoiling the sport in the continent right now.

[Callido]

Do you think all these shits are going to stop when they have the backup of big political partners that are ready to share the funds with them and support them if anything happens in the future that could cause for a probe of fund? Politicians are using their offices to make way for themselves and their is nothing we can do about that. This evil practices are not going to stop now until they experience revolution before they would understand the gravity of the pains they have put the nation.

Whatever benefits that comes through the federation is moving from upper power before it gets down to the least set of individuals on the list, there is political play going on in every institution, this is where we find ourselves and i think it is no more possible to change, power keeps moving through godfatherism that means they are more like themselves whenever another comes in.

[Rruchi man]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Some of the clubs I don't know about but I'm familiar with River's United and Sundown ...

It is my sincere hope that scouts from the senior team will be active in this competition to at least absorb into the national team the best players from Rivers United in this competition, especially in the midfield position, where we have been lacking. I sometimes prefer homegrown players because of the hunger they have to showcase their worth and talent when given the opportunity.

If we can get a creative midfielder from this competition, it will be of massive aid to our intentions to qualify for the World Cup.

[Tonimez]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Some of the clubs I don't know about but I'm familiar with River's United and Sundown and they'll be having my support. I don't see Enyimba on the list which means they didn't qualify which is a suprise to me because they're the only Nigerian club that I know have won the tournament.

Enyimba could not  qualify because of their domestic league position for last season. Rivers united finished second in the table while Enyimba finished 6th and was automatically not eligible for the CAF confederation cup because the first qualifying matches take place between the 1st -3rd placed teams up the domestic league table.  The NPFL teams that participated in the first qualifying tournament for the  CAF confederation cup include the Remo Stars, Rivers United and Abia Warriors who occupy the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively last season 2024/2025. Only Rivers United qualified and made it to this round.

This tournament is always dominated by North African clubs and I won't be shocked to see them win again because they're the ones playing the best football in Africa right now. I just hope the tournament is going to be a successful one and one filled with less controversy and corruption claims as that's spoiling the sport in the continent right now.

You're very correct about the influence of corruption and controversial moments in the African football. However, Rivers United could pull a suprise this time as they already started in their qualifying matches against  Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa (JSK ) a Congolese team and Black bull football club of Mozambique loosing only one game away to Black bull and later reclaiming victory after beating them home by 3 goals to 1 in a 3-2 Aggregate.

North African clubs have dominated the competition with Moroccon clubs having the highest number titles (8 ) shared by 5 winning clubs and Tunisia sitting as the second country with total of 5 titles. I suppose the title would go to North Africa too as you mentioned because they are very good at the game. RS Berkane of Morocco is the current defending champions and the title may not leave Morocco anytime soon. But I still hope that Rivers United make the NPFL proud this time.

[Nightwatchmare]

The super eagles has a tough task if they want to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and they have to be very tough themselves. The qualifications will even be more tough for for Nigeria because they will be playing the African cup of nation this December given tough work for the super eagles players.
Although the task for super eagles is huge they may just qualify, I will like to see the coach invite the Nigerian player in sunderland because his throw in talent can help Nigeria in the coming games.

Yeah, the super eagles have a very tough task ahead of them in the world cup playoff because it is not easy for the super eagles to defeat Gabon in the playoff, reason being that Gabon is a strong team in the world cup qualifiers; they won most of their matches and almost make it to the 2026 world cup but they were unlucky. For the super eagles to beat Gabon, they need to be at the top of their game and make use of the chances they will have against Gabon. If the Nigerian player in Sunderland is good, our coach will invite him, but will he accept to play for the super eagles?

[Agbe]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Nice to see a Nigerian team make it to the group stages of the CAF champions League, it's been a while that a Nigerian team made it to the group stages. Rivers United was able to make it to the group stages and has the chance to slug it out with the big teams in Africa.let see how well that they can perform because at this stage their main aim and target should be making it out of the group stages of this competition. But having the likes of Pyramids and Barkane will be a tough one for them.

[Mr Reporter]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Nice to see a Nigerian team make it to the group stages of the CAF champions League, it's been a while that a Nigerian team made it to the group stages. Rivers United was able to make it to the group stages and has the chance to slug it out with the big teams in Africa.let see how well that they can perform because at this stage their main aim and target should be making it out of the group stages of this competition. But having the likes of Pyramids and Barkane will be a tough one for them.

Rivers United's achievement is definitely something to celebrate! Making it to the group stages of the CAF Champions League is no small feat, and they should be proud of their accomplishment. It'll be exciting to see how they perform against strong teams like Pyramids and Wydad Casablanca.

Reaching the group stages is just the first step, and navigating the competition won't be easy. Nonetheless, this is a great opportunity for Rivers United to gain valuable experience and showcase Nigerian football talent on a bigger stage.

[Nightwatchmare]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Some of the clubs I don't know about but I'm familiar with River's United and Sundown and they'll be having my support. I don't see Enyimba on the list which means they didn't qualify which is a suprise to me because they're the only Nigerian club that I know have won the tournament.

This tournament is always dominated by North African clubs and I won't be shocked to see them win again because they're the ones playing the best football in Africa right now. I just hope the tournament is going to be a successful one and one filled with less controversy and corruption claims as that's spoiling the sport in the continent right now.

I don't know some of the clubs that are involved in the total energy CAF confederation cup either but i know like 5 teams. Anyone that knows how Enyimba dominated the Nigeria league and represented Nigeria very well in the past total energy CAF confederation cup could be surprised as you are, but it could be that Enyimba is not playing as the Enyimba we used to know, and that could be the reason they failed to make it to this year's total energy CAF confederation cup this year. In the absence of Enyimba in this year's total energy CAF confederation cup, we have Rivers United, and we need to give them our support so that they will make Nigeria proud in the tournament.

[igebotz]

Some of the clubs I don't know about but I'm familiar with River's United and Sundown and they'll be having my support. I don't see Enyimba on the list which means they didn't qualify which is a suprise to me because they're the only Nigerian club that I know have won the tournament.

This tournament is always dominated by North African clubs and I won't be shocked to see them win again because they're the ones playing the best football in Africa right now. I just hope the tournament is going to be a successful one and one filled with less controversy and corruption claims as that's spoiling the sport in the continent right now.

The Nigeria domestic league is unpredictable or should I say the clubs are inconsistent in performance - Emyimba won the league in the previous season and failed to finish in the CAF champions league position or the CAF federation cup position last season. Emyimba finished below top 6 last season. Defending champions lol

The gap between the North African clubs and West African clubs are too wide, we can't compete against them. They have the resources, the facilities, we don't.

[Rruchi man]

The gap between the North African clubs and West African clubs are too wide, we can't compete against them. They have the resources, the facilities, we don't.

I was just about to mention this, that the difference and why they seem better than west African clubs is just the investment that they have made in technical facilities and the support they have, because if it is on the basis of talent, I know that they are not more talented than we are.

We have the players, but because of lack of technical support and facilities, we are still lagging.

Somehow the corruption in our government has found its way to sports.

[DiMarxist]

I was just about to mention this, that the difference and why they seem better than west African clubs is just the investment that they have made in technical facilities and the support they have, because if it is on the basis of talent, I know that they are not more talented than we are.

We have the players, but because of lack of technical support and facilities, we are still lagging.

Somehow the corruption in our government has found its way to sports.

You are right, Talent has never been the problem for most West African countries and we have plenty of naturally gifted players. The real issue is the lack of proper investment in training facilities, and infrastructure. When corruption gets into sports, it holds back progress and wastes potential. If governments and sports bodies could focus more on genuine development rather than personal gain, to me I would say African football would easily compete with the best in the world.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I was just about to mention this, that the difference and why they seem better than west African clubs is just the investment that they have made in technical facilities and the support they have, because if it is on the basis of talent, I know that they are not more talented than we are.

We have the players, but because of lack of technical support and facilities, we are still lagging.

Somehow the corruption in our government has found its way to sports.

You are right, Talent has never been the problem for most West African countries and we have plenty of naturally gifted players. The real issue is the lack of proper investment in training facilities, and infrastructure. When corruption gets into sports, it holds back progress and wastes potential. If governments and sports bodies could focus more on genuine development rather than personal gain, to me I would say African football would easily compete with the best in the world.

I completely agree with the both of you, you guys spoke my mind from beginning to the finish, there was a day I was having a minor friendly argument with a friend of mine and he was of the opinion that African footballers are way more stronger and more talented than the other footballers from the other parts of the world but that what African footballers lack was good investment and support, I knew he was right but I just wanted to argue with him; so disagreed.. 😁

Nothing corruption visits ever remains the same, look at our Nigerian economy for example, Nigeria is so rich in natural resources that we have the potential to be world power beating US and China hands down, but corruption in politics, governments and almost in every sector in the country won't let our country progress, so it is in our football as well.

[MainIbem]

I was just about to mention this, that the difference and why they seem better than west African clubs is just the investment that they have made in technical facilities and the support they have, because if it is on the basis of talent, I know that they are not more talented than we are.

We have the players, but because of lack of technical support and facilities, we are still lagging.

Somehow the corruption in our government has found its way to sports.

You are right, Talent has never been the problem for most West African countries and we have plenty of naturally gifted players. The real issue is the lack of proper investment in training facilities, and infrastructure. When corruption gets into sports, it holds back progress and wastes potential. If governments and sports bodies could focus more on genuine development rather than personal gain, to me I would say African football would easily compete with the best in the world.

Mate, I just like that you went straight to the point and stated the fact, the real issue that's hindering West African domestic leagues from being widely recognised is corruption, it has eaten deep across major countries in west Africa and it's now affecting our football sector cause the officials are now after their personal gains, greed has made them (the football bodies) overlook the importance of developing our football sector. I think a change needs to be welcomed else it would get worst in the near future.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Hakimi may miss AFCON now which will severely affect Morocco’s chance of a good tournament.


@FabrizioRomano
🚨 PSG confirm Achraf Hakimi suffered a severe ankle sprain.

The injury could keep him sidelined for around 6-8 weeks with AFCON to follow.

Hakimi has avoided an ankle fracture. 🇲🇦
https://x.com/fabrizioromano/status/1986113039641215406

[SuperBitMan]

I was just about to mention this, that the difference and why they seem better than west African clubs is just the investment that they have made in technical facilities and the support they have, because if it is on the basis of talent, I know that they are not more talented than we are.

We have the players, but because of lack of technical support and facilities, we are still lagging.

Somehow the corruption in our government has found its way to sports.

You are right, Talent has never been the problem for most West African countries and we have plenty of naturally gifted players. The real issue is the lack of proper investment in training facilities, and infrastructure. When corruption gets into sports, it holds back progress and wastes potential. If governments and sports bodies could focus more on genuine development rather than personal gain, to me I would say African football would easily compete with the best in the world.

Mate, I just like that you went straight to the point and stated the fact, the real issue that's hindering West African domestic leagues from being widely recognised is corruption, it has eaten deep across major countries in west Africa and it's now affecting our football sector cause the officials are now after their personal gains, greed has made them (the football bodies) overlook the importance of developing our football sector. I think a change needs to be welcomed else it would get worst in the near future.

Yeah you are right corruption is the major problem, we don't even have good stadium and not that the government can't provide this but they are not just interested to do that some of them may even have the interest but will end up abandoning the project half way which is very bad, we really don't value sports here in Africa or let's say the citizens values it so much but the government don't, with the way support's is valued here in Nigeria if they invest in it, it will really help grow the economy, until we end corruption in Africa a lot of things will not work very well and sports is one of the things that won't work.

[Marykeller]

The total energy CAF confederation cup 2025/2026 have been concluded and and drawn into 4 groups. Which of the groups would you suppose the champions would come from as we await the amazing talents of Africa?

Nice to see a Nigerian team make it to the group stages of the CAF champions League, it's been a while that a Nigerian team made it to the group stages. Rivers United was able to make it to the group stages and has the chance to slug it out with the big teams in Africa.let see how well that they can perform because at this stage their main aim and target should be making it out of the group stages of this competition. But having the likes of Pyramids and Barkane will be a tough one for them.

Looking at Group A where Rivers United fall in, the group is considered one of the toughest groups of the tournament. I don't know if Rivers United can come out victorious from that group. Let's keep our hope alive anyway because in football anything is possible. This is the second time Rivers United is to participate in the CAF Champions League. They did that in the 2018/2019 season with Lobi Stars. This time around they are the only Nigerian club representing Nigeria as a nation. They won't disappoint us in a hurry without qualifying from the group stage

[Callido]

You are right, Talent has never been the problem for most West African countries and we have plenty of naturally gifted players. The real issue is the lack of proper investment in training facilities, and infrastructure. When corruption gets into sports, it holds back progress and wastes potential. If governments and sports bodies could focus more on genuine development rather than personal gain, to me I would say African football would easily compete with the best in the world.

In Nigeria not Africa as a whole, we have talents that are not scouted, what happens when opportunity meets preparedness? But what happens when the opportunity doesn't come after all preparedness? Nigerians don't take talents seriously, what we believe in is getting education and working normal jobs, it takes a lot before any African player leaves to play in Europe, the government don't help to meet dreams especially in regards to talents and sports affairs.