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

[SatoPrincess]

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

The Gabon players likely have the same opinion about the game and will be all out to ensure that they win as well.

I wish for the Nigerian team that all players have and bring along the same fighting spirit that Osimhen will bring to the field because this is a must-win game for the Super Eagles, and we cannot afford that any section of the team is lagging. The midfield and defense need to be on their A game, as well as our goalkeeper Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen is really something. I predicted a 3 nil win in favor of Nigeria but with the news I’m have been reading today about the referee situation, I have to say it’s not looking good for the Super Eagles. Usually when we are going away to play, the home team often come up with ways to mess with our players. They either lock them up in an airport, take them to a poor stadium or try to mess with their accommodation all in a bid to make the players uncomfortable for the game. But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

[Iamgoat]

If there is investment in our grassroots sport development and these players no longer see a need to go play in other countries, it will have a good effect on the National team.

Europa clubs and countries take good care of their injured players very well and pay their players very well, and players lives are more secure in Europe than in Nigeria, so even if there's a grassroots investment in sport development in the Nigeria Premier League, Nigerian players will always prefer playing in Europe because they know they will earn a big amount of money and live a good life if they play for any European club.

Even if Nigeria invests heavily in grassroots sports development I can guarantee you most players will still dream of playing at the Europe and the truth is, the difference in the welfare and salary of players in Nigeria and the career security in Europe is just too wide. And trust me no player is ready to settle for the less when there are bigger and more profitable opportunities out there. It is not even just about the money but the exposure, the opportunity and the career prospects are things you just cannot compare honestly.

[Mr Reporter]

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

The Gabon players likely have the same opinion about the game and will be all out to ensure that they win as well.

I wish for the Nigerian team that all players have and bring along the same fighting spirit that Osimhen will bring to the field because this is a must-win game for the Super Eagles, and we cannot afford that any section of the team is lagging. The midfield and defense need to be on their A game, as well as our goalkeeper Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen is really something. I predicted a 3 nil win in favor of Nigeria but with the news I’m have been reading today about the referee situation, I have to say it’s not looking good for the Super Eagles. Usually when we are going away to play, the home team often come up with ways to mess with our players. They either lock them up in an airport, take them to a poor stadium or try to mess with their accommodation all in a bid to make the players uncomfortable for the game. But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

It's true that Nigeria has had its fair share of challenges in away games, and the recent news about South African referees handling the match isn't helping.

The concern is that the referees might not be neutral, given the history between Nigeria and South Africa. You're right to question FIFA's decision, especially if it's affecting team morale. Let's hope the Super Eagles can focus on their game and bring home a win.

[Victorybit1]

If there is investment in our grassroots sport development and these players no longer see a need to go play in other countries, it will have a good effect on the National team.

Europa clubs and countries take good care of their injured players very well and pay their players very well, and players lives are more secure in Europe than in Nigeria, so even if there's a grassroots investment in sport development in the Nigeria Premier League, Nigerian players will always prefer playing in Europe because they know they will earn a big amount of money and live a good life if they play for any European club.

Even if Nigeria invests heavily in grassroots sports development I can guarantee you most players will still dream of playing at the Europe and the truth is, the difference in the welfare and salary of players in Nigeria and the career security in Europe is just too wide. And trust me no player is ready to settle for the less when there are bigger and more profitable opportunities out there. It is not even just about the money but the exposure, the opportunity and the career prospects are things you just cannot compare honestly.

Well if am given the opportunity I would for once take it without even hesitating, and besides Nigeria is not a country that they would invest mainly on sports, there are different other ways from which they are going to get the money that they need not to that fact of having high  improvement in the sport. Some of the players have taken it as part of their goals to remain abroad. football in Europe is just too ahead and lots difference that would for sure make a footballer remain there.

[Callido]

Victor Osimhen is really something. I predicted a 3 nil win in favor of Nigeria but with the news I’m have been reading today about the referee situation, I have to say it’s not looking good for the Super Eagles. Usually when we are going away to play, the home team often come up with ways to mess with our players. They either lock them up in an airport, take them to a poor stadium or try to mess with their accommodation all in a bid to make the players uncomfortable for the game. But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

If our boys wants to play in the big stage of World Cup, no excuse will be given why they didn't win, you can still play a beautiful game and win the match. Considering that the referees might be changed, we ought to win Gabon and proceed to play in the final leg before joining other nations to compete for the remaining World Cup spot.

We are not looking for many goals in this match, our focus is to win the game be it with only 1 goal ahead of Gabon, the time we needed those multitude of goals has passed, not in this stage of the competition.

[Sexylizzy2813]

As we all know the Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday 13th November, in the continental playoff of the 2026 World Cup. The players are on their way to Morocco for training before the match day. They have just 2 days left to train. The deal-day will decide if Nigeria might stand a chance to qualify for World Cup. What is your prediction for that game? Let me know what you think of the game as well.

Nigeria have what it takes to get pass Gabon in this qualifiers phase and I hope they bring out more of the beast in them like they did against Benin. It would be better for the Eagles to make the Gabon national team look small by dominating the game from the first half to the end of the game. I believe that Gabon can't stand the same pressure Nigeria gave Benin so is suppose to be one of those games we'd be on top and these guys shouldn't be a problem to us.
Is not going to be easy but getting 1 or 2 goals in this encounter would help kill the morale of Gabon that's before 70'mins because as it stands we are the favorite but that shouldn't be what we'd use to underrate these guys if not a 1nil against us and it is over for us. Nnwabali should stay off the goal line, Maduka Okoye should be our goalkeeper for this qualifiers.

[Johnlomape]

If there is investment in our grassroots sport development and these players no longer see a need to go play in other countries, it will have a good effect on the National team.

Europa clubs and countries take good care of their injured players very well and pay their players very well, and players lives are more secure in Europe than in Nigeria, so even if there's a grassroots investment in sport development in the Nigeria Premier League, Nigerian players will always prefer playing in Europe because they know they will earn a big amount of money and live a good life if they play for any European club.

Even if Nigeria invests heavily in grassroots sports development I can guarantee you most players will still dream of playing at the Europe and the truth is, the difference in the welfare and salary of players in Nigeria and the career security in Europe is just too wide. And trust me no player is ready to settle for the less when there are bigger and more profitable opportunities out there. It is not even just about the money but the exposure, the opportunity and the career prospects are things you just cannot compare honestly.

Many players are looking for greener pasture so they can get the kind of life they are looking for just like their colleagues that are signed in big clubs getting huge salary, allowance and deals in bigger currencies. There is no player that will see a bigger offer that will pay him huge amounts of money with other benefits that will not leave their residential counties to seek for a better life out their. If you like use pledges to confuse them so that they will not go, I doubt if they will stay to think about any pledges that cannot be compared to the one they will get outsider there.

[Stepstowealth]

But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

The Super Eagles player should focus on the game and not think of the situation the Football Federation has put them in because if they can score clear goals in the game there's no way that it will be denied. One goal may not be enough to win this game so they have to play very well and ensure that they are able to score many goals early enough in the game so that regardless of the manipulation from the officials, they will not be able to still catch up with the number of goals scored by the Super Eagles. The world will be watching especially now that awareness has been raised on the issue.

[7juju]

If there is investment in our grassroots sport development and these players no longer see a need to go play in other countries, it will have a good effect on the National team.

I don't see that day coming, because right from small age, those young aspiring players already have their favourites clubs in Europe, and they are aiming to play for those clubs someday. So no matter the amount of money that will be invested in our local league, it will never stop these guys from going to play in Europe if the opportunity comes calling. I want to even ask a question, who will invest this kind of money that we are even talking about in our league, is it the government or the private investors? Our league will continue serving as breeding ground for European clubs.

[Spaceman1000$]

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

The Gabon players likely have the same opinion about the game and will be all out to ensure that they win as well.

I wish for the Nigerian team that all players have and bring along the same fighting spirit that Osimhen will bring to the field because this is a must-win game for the Super Eagles, and we cannot afford that any section of the team is lagging. The midfield and defense need to be on their A game, as well as our goalkeeper Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen is really something. I predicted a 3 nil win in favor of Nigeria but with the news I’m have been reading today about the referee situation, I have to say it’s not looking good for the Super Eagles. Usually when we are going away to play, the home team often come up with ways to mess with our players. They either lock them up in an airport, take them to a poor stadium or try to mess with their accommodation all in a bid to make the players uncomfortable for the game. But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

I think the game will played on a neutral ground, which I also believe the referee will be from a neutral country, so I don't expect any bias from a FIFA referee that understands what this world cup playoff entails and how both countries interest is on the high side.
Victor Osimhen is the shooting star player Nigerians are holding on to, however this could as well be as decoy as all eyes might be on victor Osimhen while other dangerous players like Ademola lookman and Moses Simon can actually pull the strings.

[abaeze]

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

The Gabon players likely have the same opinion about the game and will be all out to ensure that they win as well.

I wish for the Nigerian team that all players have and bring along the same fighting spirit that Osimhen will bring to the field because this is a must-win game for the Super Eagles, and we cannot afford that any section of the team is lagging. The midfield and defense need to be on their A game, as well as our goalkeeper Nwabali.

Victor Osimhen is really something. I predicted a 3 nil win in favor of Nigeria but with the news I’m have been reading today about the referee situation, I have to say it’s not looking good for the Super Eagles. Usually when we are going away to play, the home team often come up with ways to mess with our players. They either lock them up in an airport, take them to a poor stadium or try to mess with their accommodation all in a bid to make the players uncomfortable for the game. But now FIFA is against us too? That’s a problem.

It is easy to see that when a South African referee comes into a Nigeria match, it will have a big impact on the confidence of the players, so the officials of the governing bodies should have understood this before making such a decision. The fear or doubt of the players often negatively affects their performance. Which later creates more controversy. It is true that the infrastructure in many African stadiums is poor, and it is also true that the home team sometimes uses various tactics to tire or mentally weaken the opponent, so the Nigeria Football Federation should protest directly and officially to FIFA in my observation.

[Tonimez]

If there is investment in our grassroots sport development and these players no longer see a need to go play in other countries, it will have a good effect on the National team.

I don't see that day coming, because right from small age, those young aspiring players already have their favourites clubs in Europe, and they are aiming to play for those clubs someday. So no matter the amount of money that will be invested in our local league, it will never stop these guys from going to play in Europe if the opportunity comes calling. I want to even ask a question, who will invest this kind of money that we are even talking about in our league, is it the government or the private investors? Our league will continue serving as breeding ground for European clubs.

You are not wrong to doubt the possibility of seeing that day come to pass and it's justifiable based on the level of corruption suffered by African countries from their leaders. Most times it appears too impossible to reposition anything in Africa for the best because we already know that these corrupt leaders would not allow it to happen. There's nothing outrightly impossible to achieve as it's still the quest for greener pastures that's taking our young stars to European clubs after breeding them here in Africa.

When everything is made right, no one would love to travel out to a possible harder economy or league because they will have trust in the African leagues. Why do you think the Europeans still don't leave their league to Africa, it is because there's nothing to gain in this part of the world. Most talents developed in Africa try to avert poverty to get a stable money for their generation and there's almost an impossible chances of succeeding here in Africa. Even the European players now are running to Saudi Arabia because they now make better wealth there than Europe.

Humans are always looking for somewhere better and Africa still has a very long way to go when it comes to their local leagues and sports at large but there's nothing impossible to achieve. A day will come when the unborn generation would see European players coming to Africa too to play the game of football because things would be better here in Africa than their side. No one ever believed talents like Messi and Ronaldo and the likes of Benzema, and Many others would choose outside Europe especially Saudi Arabia over the European teams. It's no passion, it's going for the bag and low taxed income.

[Zaguru12]

I don't see that day coming, because right from small age, those young aspiring players already have their favourites clubs in Europe, and they are aiming to play for those clubs someday. So no matter the amount of money that will be invested in our local league, it will never stop these guys from going to play in Europe if the opportunity comes calling. I want to even ask a question, who will invest this kind of money that we are even talking about in our league, is it the government or the private investors? Our league will continue serving as breeding ground for European clubs.

You’re seriously missing the most important thing which is the power of money because if you’re not missing it, you would have seen the bigger picture. I don’t totally disagree with the fact that most of this players have clubs that they dreamt of playing but aren’t we seeing same thing play out where see players rejecting European football and heading to the likes of Saudi, it first started with older players and then we see younger ones now. This is the power of the pay. Even in Europe it was because of the money in early days that build that reputation for them.

Then aside the fact that they will consider staying, let’s even say those going to Europe eventually did go then it would remain Some other players who to leagues which are nothing to write home about I think with proper funding this ones will most definitely be staying in Nigeria than their current places

[IceLincoln]

I just saw this post on Facebook and if this is really true it’s an insult on the Super Eagles and the Nigerian Football Federation, how can they select or chose such a place for them. These are not just street footballers, there are World stars and wealthy men representing their National team.
The way CAF or FIFA disregard Nigeria in some things is becoming very alarming, first they allowed officials from South Africa and Benin to officiate such a serious match without considering all the bias that may arise.

What do you guys think about this picture

[Agbam]

I just saw this post on Facebook and if this is really true it’s an insult on the Super Eagles and the Nigerian Football Federation, how can they select or chose such a place for them. These are not just street footballers, there are World stars and wealthy men representing their National team.
The way CAF or FIFA disregard Nigeria in some things is becoming very alarming, first they allowed officials from South Africa and Benin to officiate such a serious match without considering all the bias that may arise.

What do you guys think about this picture

I think this was what trended but that’s not the case as stated by the NFF Media:

“The Super Eagles are camped at Rive Hotel. What trended earlier was the view of an old building that can be seen from a window. Rive was chosen because of its proximity to the team’s training facility and the stadium here in Rabat”

I think the picture of Alex Iwobi in one of the rooms was what made it look like it was real. Maybe he was trying to catch cruise or go sightseeing at the Hotel.

[ajanwalker]

image source


As we all know the Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday 13th November, in the continental playoff of the 2026 World Cup. The players are on their way to Morocco for training before the match day. They have just 2 days left to train. The deal-day will decide if Nigeria might stand a chance to qualify for World Cup. What is your prediction for that game? Let me know what you think of the game as well.

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

Because this match is on a neutral field, I think Nigeria will be the favorite and advance to the next round.
Nigeria easily defeated Benin in the last match and qualified for the playoffs.
They still have a long way to go to reach the World Cup, and Gabon is the first obstacle.
Nigeria has a player like Osimhen, and with him, they're always the favorite.
I say Banko Nigeria will advance to the next round.

[Salahmu]

I was almost happy of seeing Gabon Meantiond to have the stage with super eagles since they are not South Africa or Ghana we no is mostly countries eagles fears but going to the statistics of Gabon even if they might not have been too known as those I called but they have tremendous winings, if it was optional super eagles should have future with Congo because they're low in statistics than Gabon, although is still inevitable because whomever that wins will have to cross to the next that also won to play for the first position, on that 13th both Cameroon and DR Congo is fixed on the same day.

From the outcome of the games in the World Cup qualifiers, it's obvious that no country should be underrated.  If a lowly rated country like Cape Verde got a direct qualification, then we should respect teams like Gabon.

The Panthers' head coach Thierry Mouyouma said he has devised a new tactical and technical style to stop the Super Eagles. Eric Chelle should also be tactically ready to counter this threat. If the Nigerian team would be able to take thier chances like they did on the game against Benin, they will have a good result.

Indeed no country should be taking common, although I wasn't implying they were being underrated after I saw all the match they had played but incase of what you said about Thierry Mouyouma I doubt if there is anything he discovered other than saying this to make everybody see them to be the brighter one, Eric Chelle will also definitely have what they have not seen from them but is better keeping it quiet till they have seen it worked because a strategy remains ineffective when nothing has been gotten from it, but if Mouyouma wins the super eagles as he trusted his strategy then we would believe him.

[Stepstowealth]

Nigeria easily defeated Benin in the last match and qualified for the playoffs.

If the Super Eagles will do well in this game I hope that they have been able to shake off the euphoria from their last game and the win they got because that can affect them in this game. The last thing that we need are players who are overconfident in their abilities and going into this game thinking that it is already a won game which will certainly affect their performance. If the Super Eagles approach the game with overconfidence against the Gabonese it means that they have underrated them and that can be something they later get to regret.

They need to play with same hunger and urgency as they played with against Benin.

[BitBakerr1]

image source


As we all know the Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday 13th November, in the continental playoff of the 2026 World Cup. The players are on their way to Morocco for training before the match day. They have just 2 days left to train. The deal-day will decide if Nigeria might stand a chance to qualify for World Cup. What is your prediction for that game? Let me know what you think of the game as well.

This is a must-win game for Nigeria. The stakes are high on this match, and just like we did against Benin, I’m predicting a 3 nil victory for the Super Eagles with our starboy Victor Osimhen leading the charge. Gabon are no small team but we have beaten the odds to get here, we won’t lose now. Let’s go!!

Because this match is on a neutral field, I think Nigeria will be the favorite and advance to the next round.
Nigeria easily defeated Benin in the last match and qualified for the playoffs.
They still have a long way to go to reach the World Cup, and Gabon is the first obstacle.
Nigeria has a player like Osimhen, and with him, they're always the favorite.
I say Banko Nigeria will advance to the next round.

I believe so much in Nigeria super eagles I know they will win Gabon because Nigeria super eagles are more inform than them and they have good players than them also, one thing that we push Nigeria super eagles forward even in the world cup is if other players are start scoring goals the way victor osimhen is doing, because one thing I observe is that all the players usually depend on Victor osimhen to score, so if the people they are playing against decide to Mark Victor osimhen very well it will be very hard for Nigerian to score goal and this is a big problem so other players should start scoring goals the same way victor osimhen is doing, we have a lot of good players in the Nigerian super eagles I really don't know why they find it difficult to perform very well for their country I know they are trying their best but they should put more pressure in scoring goals and not depend fully on victor osimhen.

[Fiatless]

I just saw this post on Facebook and if this is really true it’s an insult on the Super Eagles and the Nigerian Football Federation, how can they select or chose such a place for them. These are not just street footballers, there are World stars and wealthy men representing their National team.
The way CAF or FIFA disregard Nigeria in some things is becoming very alarming, first they allowed officials from South Africa and Benin to officiate such a serious match without considering all the bias that may arise.

What do you guys think about this picture

Even in New York or the highbrow areas in developed countries, there are abandoned buildings. Alex Iwobi has clarified that he was just showing the surroundings of the hotel. The Rive Hotel is one of the best in Rabat’s bustling Hassan district. What is more important is the services they get from the hotel and not how the surrounding looks.