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

[Stepstowealth]

It's 90 minutes already and an extra 3 minutes have just been added, and to be frankly speaking, I'm totally disappointed with the way our Nigerian Super Eagles are playing right now, considering the fact how early our Super Eagles were able to score the first goal of the match at 3 minutes into the game, which obviously gave us high hopes thinking they could actually deliver us today to enable us qualify for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup. And as it stands now, I have doubt the Super Eagles will be able to win the extra time game we will be playing next.

You don't have to be disappointed about ordinary football that if your country beat Dr Congo, it will be hard for them to go close to the world cup. Corruption in the football league of your country has been responsible for this shame  that brought to you but you don't have to be angered about this because the Nigerian team can not compete much at the international level.

I really expected the super eagles to at least score a second goal after the first goal, but Ademola lookman who wasted some opportunities  the first half deserved to play in the second half than the substitution that Eric did. I cannot say I am dissapointed because we dissapoint alot. There are many times I have increased hope after a team performance from the super eagle just for us to go to the next game and dissapoint. So I do not feel bad like that that we lost because it is a normal situation for me.

I was surprised to see some people really angry at the situation, they should blame the government because if there is no corruption in the team, these players will have a lot of competition because of how enticing the role to play in super eagles is for every footballer, that they will work hard for team selections even from players in the local league. For most of our players, it is more of a sacrifice for them playing for the super eagles. Some are even just doing it to have their names on National record because if it is for the financial side, they are poorly paid, they are owed and the role is not very enticing for other players who can challenge them.

[SatoPrincess]

Today I decided to take a risk and bet on Nigeria to win. Why do I say I'm taking a risk? Because the Nigerian national team hasn't been able to beat Congo, although they haven't lost to Congo either. This photo shows that:



https://livescores.biz/h2h/dr-congo-vs-nigeria-cf

A lot has changed since the last time these two teams faced each other, so I hope that at least the current Nigeria team can secure a comfortable victory. It's true they've made mistakes in defense, but if they can stay focused on defense today, they can win, and I'll profit from that too. I intend to watch this game.

Sorry to disappoint you. We needed Nigeria to win this game so badly but the boys just couldn’t get the job done. I don’t even know how to feel right now. I know I said I’d be proud of the team no matter the result but rn I’m experiencing a mix of emotions.

It's 90 minutes already and an extra 3 minutes have just been added, and to be frankly speaking, I'm totally disappointed with the way our Nigerian Super Eagles are playing right now, considering the fact how early our Super Eagles were able to score the first goal of the match at 3 minutes into the game, which obviously gave us high hopes thinking they could actually deliver us today to enable us qualify for the forthcoming 2026 World Cup. And as it stands now, I have doubt the Super Eagles will be able to win the extra time game we will be playing next.

You don't have to be disappointed about ordinary football that if your country beat Dr Congo, it will be hard for them to go close to the world cup. Corruption in the football league of your country has been responsible for this shame  that brought to you but you don't have to be angered about this because the Nigerian team can not compete much at the international level.

I thought you’re a Nigerian. What’s with the “your country” reference?  You were rooting for Nigeria to win, now they lost the penalty shootouts you have suddenly remembered that they cannot compete at the international stage.

[Joeboy]

coming back to see the match as already extended to second half and Nigeria didn't have more pressing through out the second half (base on statistics) I felt it within that definitely they are going to lose, and also seeing Victor oshimen being sub off due to a minor injury, I knew we are not going to have a pressing tempo in our attack.
It ended in a penalty shot out and Nigeria lost to Dr. Congo.

Osimhen is the only reason why the Nigerian team do win games. Without VO9, the team would fall in so much disarray as was the case through the entire second half and extra time in this game.

Nigeria performance today was really disappointing, most especially after the substitution of Victor O...... This makes it the second time in a roll that Nigeria has lost their chance of participating in the World cup. Oshimen enthusiasm  and energy over the different matches he played including today's own, really showed that he needed his team to qualify, and honestly I really feel for him coz what he work so hard for, didn't come to reality. And considering his currentage, he will be around 31 and counting before he has the chance to participate again.

[Finebone]

Brother, I didn't see a large part of the game and only tuned in towards the end of the second half as well as the penalties and I'm really glad I didn't watch it from the start od the game. Our Goalkeeper did us a huge favor because the penalties should have ended way sooner than ut did. I wonder how some of these guys are professionald but can barely kick a ball.

I regret watching this game because these our clueless super eagles want to give me high blood pressure, but thanks to God Almighty that and not too emotionally attached to the extent of having high blood pressure by their incompetent performance.
I watched the game from the starting to the ending, in the first they were a bit better when Victor osimhen was leading the line, but I don't know why he was taken off in the beginning of the second half, and that was how the super eagles collapsed, the Dr congo team started dominating every statistics in the game till the penalty shoot out. Our super eagles were just lucky not to lose the game earlier because they were too horrible in midfield and in attack in the second half of the game, and in extra time.
Congratulation to the Dr congo national team, they were the deserving winners of this match.

At the end of the day, I blame the NFF.

All off them should go, they are the real cause of our problem.

[Slow death]

~Snip
Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

Tbh, I think this was the right outcome for the team albeit a sad one for fans. However, it was clear that we are not ready to compete on the global stage along with some of the finest teams in the world cup next year. For the world cup, we won't have to be disappointed again so we can just watch other teams do great things since we cannot do the same for ours.

Nigeria has a good squad, unfortunately not a good coach. If the Nigerian national team had a good coach, they would have easily passed the group stage. For many months I have been saying that the Nigerian national team needs a coach who has won titles. Honestly, it doesn't make sense to have hired Éric Chelle, who doesn't have a great track record of many achievements. What did the Nigerian federation expect with this hiring? The guy didn't have many achievements and it was clear he couldn't handle the players. So they had to fire him quickly. But unfortunately, they didn't do it sooner.

[Tonimez]

Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

The better team won which is DR Congo, they really gave the Super Eagles a hard match and it was clear that they needed the win more than the boring Super Eagles. If there is anyone who is happy about the Super Eagles not advancing further am the one because imagine if Nigeria qualify to the world cup and meet those countries that has Super Strikers, that means they will lose with huge goal margin. If Nigeria had won DR Congo and moved further that is how they would have gone to disgrace themselves at the inter-confederation playoff.

Super eagles messed up big time starting from the coach down to every player. At a point I concluded that the best outcome should be Nigeria loosing. Penalty shutout is not a good way to determine a true warrior but thanks goodness it ended the right way. The coach made so much substitution that was supposed to come in to boast the game, but he started them and changed all within the early second half. Victor Osimhen absence was everywhere, but his pressure was there until his substituted at half time.
I don't know who to blame, Calvin Bassey started the penalty shoot out with laxity and it fell back on them. Stanley Nwabali did a good job but also contributed to our woes. I am so pained even though the victory was so deserving for DR Congo.

Their coach made a very crucial change at the last minute, changing the keeper for their second keeper and tactically won the game. Congratulations Dr Congo.

[Joca97]

~Snip
Nigeria won’t be playing the World Cup, at least we won’t go out there and get humiliated, just imagine this is how the super eagles are going to play when they face top counties, we are having top players, but we don’t know how to properly make use of them.

Tbh, I think this was the right outcome for the team albeit a sad one for fans. However, it was clear that we are not ready to compete on the global stage along with some of the finest teams in the world cup next year. For the world cup, we won't have to be disappointed again so we can just watch other teams do great things since we cannot do the same for ours.

Nigeria has a good squad, unfortunately not a good coach. If the Nigerian national team had a good coach, they would have easily passed the group stage. For many months I have been saying that the Nigerian national team needs a coach who has won titles. Honestly, it doesn't make sense to have hired Éric Chelle, who doesn't have a great track record of many achievements. What did the Nigerian federation expect with this hiring? The guy didn't have many achievements and it was clear he couldn't handle the players. So they had to fire him quickly. But unfortunately, they didn't do it sooner.

Nigeria has a solid team and i expected them to win easily in this match but that didnt happen. I agree with you the coach of Nigeria is really bad and i blame him for them not qualifing. Osimhen even when he plays bad he needs to stay on the field because he can score always even if things arent going well.

[Zoomic]

How actually did this happen ?
Although I am not surprised but Super Eagles was supposed to win this match, considering their squad and the calibre of players they have. I watched yesterday match only the first half. On returning to watch the second half;
Osimhen,
Chukwueze,
Loomman
Were already substituted. I didn't know what was wrong but I lost confidence in continuing.

[snipie]

The first goal of Nigeria came with hope for qualification. It was quick and stayed solid for a while.
Super Eagles missed few chances because they couldn't control the ball well in front of the net and there was a shot that gave literally the ball to the DR Congo goalkeeper. These two opportunities could have changed the outcome of the match in my opinion.
Later a big mistake in the half of the field, followed by a big error from the Nigerian defence line that literally gave the ball to the DR Congo player to kick it in the net!
I have nothing to say more than that because the penalties were a disappointment. DR Congo gave them the chance to qualify and Super Eagles just ruined it like they did before in the beginning of the qualification..

[Adbitco]

How actually did this happen ?
Although I am not surprised but Super Eagles was supposed to win this match, considering their squad and the calibre of players they have. I watched yesterday match only the first half. On returning to watch the second half;
Osimhen,
Chukwueze,
Loomman
Were already substituted. I didn't know what was wrong but I lost confidence in continuing.

Yes, considering how they were prepared for the and how they have played in their last 2 games, they were supposed to win this very match even if it was by a goal margin. When they scored earlier on in the match, I thought maybe more will still come from them but it didn't. Seriously, I'm really surprised at this but anyways congratulations to DRC.

[Abdulzuruku01]

It's over. Nigeria is not going to the World Cup, we miss back-to-back World Cups. It is such a sad night for the entire country, but to be fair, the better team won. Dr. Congo completely dominated the game from the second half, and all through the extra-time, they deserved to win.

What is next for the Super Eagles? The AFCON next month, i hope we can win it and at least make up a little bit for this heartbreak. But as for the 2026 World Cup, too bad we'll not be watching our dear nation play in it.

I'm not surprised they've been eliminated. Judging by their performance in this qualification, I don't think the country should be sad, because they don't deserve to go to the World Cup. Look at their match against Congo today everyone thought the Super Eagles would win easily, but Congo put up a good fight. Honestly Congo deserved the win. If the Super Eagles struggle against African countries like this, imagine how they'll do against teams from other continents with star players. Won't their performance be embarrassing? Although it's unusual for the Giant of Africa to miss the World Cup back-to-back, but in my opinion it's clear they weren't ready.

[Odusko]

The first goal of Nigeria came with hope for qualification. It was quick and stayed solid for a while.
Super Eagles missed few chances because they couldn't control the ball well in front of the net and there was a shot that gave literally the ball to the DR Congo goalkeeper. These two opportunities could have changed the outcome of the match in my opinion.
Later a big mistake in the half of the field, followed by a big error from the Nigerian defence line that literally gave the ball to the DR Congo player to kick it in the net!
I have nothing to say more than that because the penalties were a disappointment. DR Congo gave them the chance to qualify and Super Eagles just ruined it like they did before in the beginning of the qualification..

Pictures don't lie, I have been in pain since the match ended, the supper eagles hard all the chances to make the difference but they gave it all away, well we expect and welcome them back home as always, but this is sad one DR Congo of all team kicking Nigeria off world cup.

[Zoomic]

Pictures don't lie, I have been in pain since the match ended, the supper eagles hard all the chances to make the difference but they gave it all away, well we expect and welcome them back home as always, but this is sad one DR Congo of all team kicking Nigeria off world cup.

Dude, you don't need to be in pain because so many Nigerians already saw the handwriting on the world when their super Eagles was unable to qualify through the normal process. Nigeria as I used to know was supposed to top their group but they wasted so many chances. So, I didn't expect you think much about them anymore. Although I know the pains of watching the world cup without them, but then if they were present nothing would still happen. So, it is good for them to relax and fix their football association.

[9ja Amaka]

Pictures don't lie, I have been in pain since the match ended, the supper eagles hard all the chances to make the difference but they gave it all away, well we expect and welcome them back home as always, but this is sad one DR Congo of all team kicking Nigeria off world cup.

Not a surprising result. My expectation for Nigeria qualifying died in the second half. The moment I knew the only player who gave them hope was subbed off. We did not hear the news, Victor, that he was subbed off.

I often say, penalty is a 50/50 thing, but today fate taught me a lesson. The DR Congo team was the one that worked hard and needed to win the most; they showed it on the pitch, and even in the penalty shootout, they also emerged victorious.

[Sexylizzy2813]

Not a surprising result. My expectation for Nigeria qualifying died in the second half. The moment I knew the only player who gave them hope was subbed off. We did not hear the news, Victor, that he was subbed off.

I often say, penalty is a 50/50 thing, but today fate taught me a lesson. The DR Congo team was the one that worked hard and needed to win the most; they showed it on the pitch, and even in the penalty shootout, they also emerged victorious.

Up till this moment I still can't understand how a country as Nigeria don't have a back up striker that can perform 45% of what Osimhen is doing on the pitch, first it was Osimhen and the next thing Lookman left the battlefield and they brought 2 players as the strikers that could not make the game very stressful for the defenders of Dr. Congo, who the hell is Adams? He was just running like a headless chicken, no direction...as if it wasn't enough the coach brought in Tolu Arokodare who's body is a little bit like that of Haalands' but could not win any area ball, is so disappointing to know that the Super Eagles weren't prepared at all, remove Osimhen and we are left without a proper number 9.

[Donneski]

Pictures don't lie, I have been in pain since the match ended, the supper eagles hard all the chances to make the difference but they gave it all away, well we expect and welcome them back home as always, but this is sad one DR Congo of all team kicking Nigeria off world cup.

Not a surprising result. My expectation for Nigeria qualifying died in the second half. The moment I knew the only player who gave them hope was subbed off. We did not hear the news, Victor, that he was subbed off.

I often say, penalty is a 50/50 thing, but today fate taught me a lesson. The DR Congo team was the one that worked hard and needed to win the most; they showed it on the pitch, and even in the penalty shootout, they also emerged victorious.

As much as it pains me to say it, I have to be frank enough to say that DR Congo actually deserved to win the game tonight and qualify to the intercontinental playoffs. They were unarguably the best team on the pitch. Nigeria that were very passionate with their performances in their last two games failed to show same commitment we've seen from them in the last two games. Apart from the defensive line especially Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Frederick, the rest of the Nigerian players were missing in that game. Nigeria goalkeeper who made some mistakes that would've cost the team goals during the game was outstanding during shootout but unfortunately for him, his two saves weren't enough as his teammates struggled to convert from the spot.

[Mayor of ogba]

~Snip

I know definitely that Nigeria will lose this penalty shootout. The DR Congo have managed to end or secure victory against Nigeria through a penalty shootout. Nigeria loses 3 penalty shootouts away and 3 clean penalty goals, while DR Congo loses 2 penalty shootouts away with 4 clean goals. Honestly, I was very disappointed in Nigeria’s performance in this match particularly, the consistency and efforts being applied, which actually helped them in their previous match to secure victories, but in this match between them and Congo, their performances were actually low. Nevertheless, Nigeria actually played well, but Congo doesn’t want to lose this match. As such, the match ended in favour of Congo, and Nigeria is out of the qualifier.

Brother, I didn't see a large part of the game and only tuned in towards the end of the second half as well as the penalties and I'm really glad I didn't watch it from the start od the game. Our Goalkeeper did us a huge favor because the penalties should have ended way sooner than ut did. I wonder how some of these guys are professionald but can barely kick a ball.


At the end of the day, I blame the NFF.

We all know that NFF is corrupt and they aren't treating Nigeria players the way they ought to be treated, but I disagree with you for blaming NFF for the Nigeria misfortune against DR Congo because Nigeria was so poor against DR Congo, and you shouldn't expect them to defeat a team that is more determined than them to qualify for the World Cup through the intercontinental rounds. Nigeria players are fully responsible for us not qualifying for the intercontinental rounds because our goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali helped us and saved two penalties. Nigeria players should have used the advantage to score more penalties than DR Congo and qualify for the intercontinental rounds but what did they do? They missed three penalties and ended our hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

[Oluwa-btc]

Nigeria has a good squad, unfortunately not a good coach. If the Nigerian national team had a good coach, they would have easily passed the group stage. For many months I have been saying that the Nigerian national team needs a coach who has won titles. Honestly, it doesn't make sense to have hired Éric Chelle, who doesn't have a great track record of many achievements. What did the Nigerian federation expect with this hiring? The guy didn't have many achievements and it was clear he couldn't handle the players. So they had to fire him quickly. But unfortunately, they didn't do it sooner.

Just to remind you that Eric Chele wasn't the manager when we started the group stage games. And if you're to blast and blame anyone, you'd go with the players and the NFF who dictate who the managers should start and not start and also unserious players like Victor Boniface who couldn't fo shit when we had those two draws in the first two group games. Firing such a tactically sound manager is unwise trust. The upcoming African cup of nations next month, Nigeria will go far with him. He's that good, making wrong decisions most at times has to be his flaw.

[B-BossMan]

How actually did this happen ?
Although I am not surprised but Super Eagles was supposed to win this match, considering their squad and the calibre of players they have. I watched yesterday match only the first half. On returning to watch the second half;
Osimhen,
Chukwueze,
Loomman
Were already substituted. I didn't know what was wrong but I lost confidence in continuing.

This was the main factor that contributed to their losses. Obviously, the coach actually did a very wrong substitution there. You know these are the key players that can at least help us to achieve this victory. At times, even if these junior players exist on the pitch, you know the match may definitely end in a penalty shootout, then work with calculations based on these key players, because they're the only hopes to at least give us a clean penalty shootout, so how would you expect the defenders to give us a clean penalty goal? These people are only like kicking a ball away, however, I was impressed with their match, and Nigeria did what they could, and the match eventually ended well, and DR Congo won the match, while Nigeria didn't qualify for the 2026- World Cup.

[OsaiEmma]

We all know that NFF is corrupt and they aren't treating Nigeria players the way they ought to be treated, but I disagree with you for blaming NFF for the Nigeria misfortune against DR Congo because Nigeria was so poor against DR Congo, and you shouldn't expect them to defeat a team that is more determined than them to qualify for the World Cup through the intercontinental rounds. Nigeria players are fully responsible for us not qualifying for the intercontinental rounds because our goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali helped us and saved two penalties. Nigeria players should have used the advantage to score more penalties than DR Congo and qualify for the intercontinental rounds but what did they do? They missed three penalties and ended our hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

You've said exactly what's in my mind, we lacked the determination to push, or should I say, Congo were more determined and focused on this, the way they played, the confidence of their fans, the vigor and force they attacked each half with, they really do deserve the win if I must say, I don't blame the coach or NFF(besides they promised compensations) I blame the players, they played as though they weren't interested in moving forward