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

[Karl_3000]

Sometimes you don't have to blame this players I remember sometime ago when they were playing the world cup qualifiers this players were agitating for NFF to pay them there salaries and you know what they have been owing them for a very long time so how do you think this players we perform very well for their country knowing fully well that the country is not even concerned about them or don't even care about them this is one of the challenges Nigerian football is facing, believe me if the government is treating this players very well they will put in their best to make sure that they deliver, if this players eventually get injury that can prevent them from playing anymore you will see how the Nigerian government will treat them I have seen some players that are now retired and are suffering and till date the Nigeria government is still owing them, if I'm playing for Nigeria and they are not treating me well I will not put in my best and that is it.

I think they were paid some money after they protested in another country that they wanted to play for the world cup qualifiers and they won with 4 goals to 1. Their losses was not because of any payment but because the second club they played with have luck because it ended in penalty.

I can not blame the players because football is not easy and because I definitely know that the world cup is not belonging to Africa again. No African nation has ever won world cup before.

[tbterryboy]

We know the super eagles of Nigeria are not impressive in there performance when it comes to international duties and offers more while in there league competitions and it calls for questioning but I think they should be treated the way others treats there's because while playing for Nigeria they usually put there best but why they don't get results equivalent to there efforts is what we can't tell. All they need from us is our massive support, prayers and changes from the Nigeria football federation, especially that of the NFF requirs serious attention because I think the problem is from there.

Too many quality players into Super Eagles squad but still their performance is not consistent, and they are out of World Cup mean millions dreams shattered and now peoples have to wait for another four years for new dreams and expectations but here big problem is NFF.

They never go for improvement and have good players those can give their best too many works to done for them, but they fail and just doing their own stuff which helping them for having good salaries and incentives, but game moral is going down working on structure and having good development in game always important and priority but never happen AFCON is coming hopefully things will take changes.

[Hewlet]

SportsSuper Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football at 32



William Ekong has decided to retire from international football at 32. He is no longer the Super Eagles captain, and he won't be playing the AFCON.
Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

https://hallmarknews.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-at-32/

We will greatly miss our captain, I wished he would have continued with the super eagles for the AFCON that's just starting in few weeks. But he knows what best for him and I wish him well for the rest of his club career. He really served the super eagles well and I hope the team will adapt without him.

He has paid his dues and so far, he's been everything a national captain should represent. I expected this retirement to come at least moment after the AFCON considering how close we are to the tournament but then, he must have thought well about this and this decision is for his good and that of the team. Good luck champ 🏆

As for the next captain I will like the team to give it to a player who is dedicated to the team and gives his all when it comes to international duties. Victor Osimhen is the perfect person to be the captain of the eagles.

Victor osimehn has the charisma of a captain but of you ask me, I think character wise, osimehn is doesn't have in terms of what a true captain of our national team should be. Osimehn is just like vinicius. With all his talent and influence in team, emotional wise, he doesn't look too fit to carry up leadership role at the apex level like leading a national team. The likes of Alex iwobi will be a good fit for that role.

[Promocodeudo]

Sometimes you don't have to blame this players I remember sometime ago when they were playing the world cup qualifiers this players were agitating for NFF to pay them there salaries and you know what they have been owing them for a very long time so how do you think this players we perform very well for their country knowing fully well that the country is not even concerned about them or don't even care about them this is one of the challenges Nigerian football is facing, believe me if the government is treating this players very well they will put in their best to make sure that they deliver, if this players eventually get injury that can prevent them from playing anymore you will see how the Nigerian government will treat them I have seen some players that are now retired and are suffering and till date the Nigeria government is still owing them, if I'm playing for Nigeria and they are not treating me well I will not put in my best and that is it.

They have to be blamed too, all you said are facts but there's no team without players, if they felt bad about what they have experienced in the past, let's say that's what made them not to give out their best, then I think they didn't do it right, although it could also be there reason but do we think they have any other pattern they would've show cased in the qualifiers or don't we think they gave all they can, but it is very worrisome that the shit NFF has nothing to offer, how would they even think of joking with everything, although I don't blame them rather I blame their master that appointed them.

The players are actually not treated well just as you said, sometimes I just think we can't get this things right, just imagine a government not being serious with anything concerning our national football, it is unfortunate that we have failure called leaders.

[Emitdama]

Which player do you think will put in their best for a country that will owe them benefits and incentives? You cannot expect a golden performance from these players when they are unhappy.

That is the major problem for this team; they will never put in their best knowing that the NFF is unsupportive and corrupt.

If you keep expecting something spectacular from these boys without addressing the issue of the NFF, you are simply saying they should keep putting in their best, ignoring the excesses of the NFF, which puts you in support of the NFF and their corruption. It will always be difficult to function in a corrupt system.

For having best from players, just need strong infrastructure because this brings good options and these can bring changes. Nigeria is also like Brazil, they are having enough quality players, those are giving their best in top leagues with their skills and determination, but they always fail to produce at national level.

Lack of leadership and team depth always hurt them, here corruption is also having good involvement because this brings things unbalanced and players fail to stay on good level. Domestic league also needed for good reforms because domestic tournaments can bring good funds for NFF which is always important, but their mindset is never been to have improvement and top players are also now engaging themselves with good salaries in European leagues, this shattering fans hopes for better results and development in Nigerian football.

[Callido]

Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

At least he should have played in the AFCON before retiring, i feel he is retiring as well to give chance to other players even as he wasn't started in our recent matches. Retiring at 32 years seem too early for me but it is good that players let go before it leaves them.

I think Ndidi will fit best as our Captain, Iwobi can be in the absence of Ndidi but our first choice can't be Iwobi or Victor Osimhen. The injury you get from the national team isn't worth denying playing for your clubs that pays better.

[Roseline492]

SportsSuper Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football at 32



William Ekong has decided to retire from international football at 32. He is no longer the Super Eagles captain, and he won't be playing the AFCON.
Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

https://hallmarknews.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-at-32/

Iwobi is good to become the super eagles captain because he is experienced and good relationship with team players but however I nominate Victor Osimhen by worth. William Ekong has retired very early, although I thought I was going to watch him playing in one of this regular leagues before this retirement, super eagles will miss a great center back defender. We shouldn't even concern much on the captain but who will become the center back of super eagles with the same or replica of William Ekong, the only back position we would be certain of is the Aina position and Bassey but were William Ekong is leaving will be until there national league start we would no.

[Franctoshi]

This is not a good enough excuse for any one who found his or her talent in football to stop such one from succeeding, any body or youth who is super talented in football and feels the Nigerian government and environment isnt giving them to opportunity to showcase their talent to the world and open them up to opportunities can simply get a visa and travel to a nearby country with better government and better chances of showcasing their talent in football..

There are several Nigerians who are playing football for league and teams in other countries that we do not know, they are there making a good life for themselves.
Politicians and their corrupt practices should never been seen or used as an excuse to why one is not succeeding their any choose field or career, because our individual decision to succeed is always in our individual hands and not the politicians, they can actually make things a bit difficult, but delayed is not denied.

Yes, but in the midst of many there are only few that has the opportunity (link and money) to do visa and travel abroad. Most of these guys that are very talented player come from a poor background family, they have no sponsor or the money to finance themselves, which if it happens that we have a very good governmental system in place, there will have been a grassroot mobilization for these guys or even this talents will be sponsored abroad or have the opportunity to play for the national team for free and thereby showcasing their talent to the world and for clubs to come pick them and make everything easier for this players to play in the European league.

[Nightwatchmare]

The Golden team with the likes of Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, Aina, Chukwueze, Boniface, and the rest of them who are doing very well for their respective clubs.

Who cares about how they perform in their domestic club? They are making history for themselves, not for the country. What we Nigerian wants is for them to win an international trophy or qualify for the World Cup. That's all. I want to see the same Golden performance I see every week in their domestic league in the upcoming AFCON that is about to start.

We know the super eagles of Nigeria are not impressive in there performance when it comes to international duties and offers more while in there league competitions and it calls for questioning but I think they should be treated the way others treats there's because while playing for Nigeria they usually put there best but why they don't get results equivalent to there efforts is what we can't tell. All they need from us is our massive support, prayers and changes from the Nigeria football federation, especially that of the NFF requirs serious attention because I think the problem is from there.

Plenty Nigeria fans are not happy with the way some of the super eagles players play for the Nigeria national team any time they are on international duty. Some of the super eagles players play below expectations whenever they are playing for Nigeria national team, but when it comes to playing in their club side, they always perform better and give their best so that their clubs can win their matches. Nigerian fans have been giving the Nigeria national team their massive support, so i do not think the super eagles of Nigeria are lacking support from their fans. What the super eagles of Nigeria need to perform better is a complete change of the NFF governing body.

[igebotz]

Every now and then we see our players going into early retirement because of NFF corruption and disrespect towards our players.

The big question to ask is "Who is next?" Which Super Eagles player do you think will be the next to retire? Because it is certain that a couple of players will follow, and we will not be having the same golden team as we have now in a couple of months.

I don't think there will be changes in our NFF because there is no one to hold them accountable; our government, which maybe should have looked into it, is also filled with corrupt politicians and officials, so they will look away.

Ndidi would probably retire after AFCON to focus on his club career that is declining - if we flop at the AFCON we would have many players quitting the Super Eagles to focus on their selves. This current NFF is the worst I've seen.

Musa is still the main captain, he's not retired yet just not in Chelle game plans.

[SatoPrincess]

The big question to ask is "Who is next?" Which Super Eagles player do you think will be the next to retire? Because it is certain that a couple of players will follow, and we will not be having the same golden team as we have now in a couple of months.

I don't think there will be changes in our NFF because there is no one to hold them accountable; our government, which maybe should have looked into it, is also filled with corrupt politicians and officials, so they will look away.

What Golden team are you talking about? 

The Golden team with the likes of Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, Aina, Chukwueze, Boniface, and the rest of them who are doing very well for their respective clubs.

I don’t think there is anything “golden” about this Super Eagles team. If they were in a competition, would they even win bronze? IMO this set of players do not qualify as “golden team” at all, whatever successes they may be having in their domestic clubs is nothing to me if they can’t carry their country in African and international tournaments

[Cookdata]

I think they were paid some money after they protested in another country that they wanted to play for the world cup qualifiers and they won with 4 goals to 1. Their losses was not because of any payment but because the second club they played with have luck because it ended in penalty.

I can not blame the players because football is not easy and because I definitely know that the world cup is not belonging to Africa again. No African nation has ever won world cup before.

The last team they played was Dr Congo and they didn't win because of luck, it was our coach that made some wrongs moves and it cost us alot. This current team can't do a day without Osimhen but somehow he was too confident and he substituted him with Adam, no goal was made after that match till the end and there was no way he could fix him back for penalty, wrong move cost Nigeria everything.

Now, the main man is out and has retired Troost Ekong. I respect his decision, he has been with the team since 2015 till 2025, that's a solid 10 years commitment. I want to see where Super eagles will be headed now especially with recent drab and mismanagement of funds they have had from Fifa. In all honesty, I want Micheal take over this job badly.

[Lida93]

Every now and then we see our players going into early retirement because of NFF corruption and disrespect towards our players.

The big question to ask is "Who is next?" Which Super Eagles player do you think will be the next to retire? Because it is certain that a couple of players will follow, and we will not be having the same golden team as we have now in a couple of months.

I don't think there will be changes in our NFF because there is no one to hold them accountable; our government, which maybe should have looked into it, is also filled with corrupt politicians and officials, so they will look away.

No player wants to play in a national team where the official have less regard for their wellbeing and obviously don't provide for the players what's due them as at when due. Probably why we see our young Super Eagles players now retiring at the international level but still play club football in Europe.

The government has allowed the NFF body to be chaired and operated by politicians who know nothing about football or even have passion for sports. Hence, every dollar meant to boost the team is squandered and even up to that which are due the players. It's just unfortunate.

[GiftedMAN]

SportsSuper Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football at 32



William Ekong has decided to retire from international football at 32. He is no longer the Super Eagles captain, and he won't be playing the AFCON.
Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

https://hallmarknews.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-at-32/

Though it's been published in the media that William Troost-Ekong has retired from international football and would no longer be part of the Super Eagles, it's still being considered if the defender will come out of retirement and play in the next AFCON tournament. There's a rumour that his retirement wasn't a decision he actually wanted to make immediately but was forced by some influential persona in the NFF. Hopefully, he'll be back into the Super Eagles team but if for any reason Ekong doesn't rejoin the Super Eagles, then I think Victor Osimhen should be given the captain armband. The Galatasaray striker have in many occasions shown that he can be trusted with leading the team so now that the opportunity is open, I nominate him to be named as the next captain of the team

[Fiatless]

Though it's been published in the media that William Troost-Ekong has retired from international football and would no longer be part of the Super Eagles, it's still being considered if the defender will come out of retirement and play in the next AFCON tournament. There's a rumour that his retirement wasn't a decision he actually wanted to make immediately but was forced by some influential persona in the NFF. Hopefully, he'll be back into the Super Eagles team but if for any reason Ekong doesn't rejoin the Super Eagles, then I think Victor Osimhen should be given the captain armband. The Galatasaray striker have in many occasions shown that he can be trusted with leading the team so now that the opportunity is open, I nominate him to be named as the next captain of the team

What will these influential people in the NFF gain from his retirement? Is it connected to the salary incident when the Super Eagles players refused to train until they were paid what they were owed? Perhaps these powerful individuals thought that Troost-Ekong would have done more to prevent that global embarrassment.

I hear some people say we don't need him anymore. His experience and leadership skills would have been a good contribution to the team. He has also shown good displays each time he is brought in as a substitute.

[Oluwa-btc]

SportsSuper Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football at 32



William Ekong has decided to retire from international football at 32. He is no longer the Super Eagles captain, and he won't be playing the AFCON.
Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

https://hallmarknews.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-at-32/

At 32?! There's more to the story. I think he's been punished by the NFF, after standing up for his mates publicly about their unpaid fee's, I saw how he was dropped drastically out from the first eleven just same way they did with the last Nigerian Captain.. With that said, I hope to see this particular group of NFF directors dropped. That should be the main goal to be achieved. Doing that will be a huge step forwards from all the backwards we've faced. Iwobi has obviously done more international appearance for Nigeria, the bigger question, is he Captain Material?!

[Nightwatchmare]

SportsSuper Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football at 32



William Ekong has decided to retire from international football at 32. He is no longer the Super Eagles captain, and he won't be playing the AFCON.
Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

https://hallmarknews.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-at-32/

At 32?! There's more to the story. I think he's been punished by the NFF, after standing up for his mates publicly about their unpaid fee's, I saw how he was dropped drastically out from the first eleven just same way they did with the last Nigerian Captain.. With that said, I hope to see this particular group of NFF directors dropped. That should be the main goal to be achieved. Doing that will be a huge step forwards from all the backwards we've faced. Iwobi has obviously done more international appearance for Nigeria, the bigger question, is he Captain Material?!

I was shocked when i heard super eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was retiring from international football because he has contributed massively to the super eagles, and he should not be retiring because he can still play for the super eagles of Nigeria for 2-3 years. I believe it is because William Troost-Ekong stood up for his teammates about their unpaid fees, which made William Troost-Ekong retire from international football because once you challenge the authorities in Nigeria, you will be dealt with. It is difficult to drop this particular group of NFF directors because they have the backing of the people who are supposed to drop them.

[Jegileman]

Victor osimehn has the charisma of a captain but of you ask me, I think character wise, osimehn is doesn't have in terms of what a true captain of our national team should be. Osimehn is just like vinicius. With all his talent and influence in team, emotional wise, he doesn't look too fit to carry up leadership role at the apex level like leading a national team. The likes of Alex iwobi will be a good fit for that role.

Alex Iwobi may have leadership qualities, but I still feel he’s not the best fit for that position. He has been holding himself up for that leadership role but we still need a player that can stand up to the referee when he’s being partial during the game, not someone that will be resentful even when he needs to speak up for the team. There are other players that way fits that position but with his long term play in the national team and experience, he may still be given the role of the captain and may improve himself to manage it well for the team.

The players are actually not treated well just as you said, sometimes I just think we can't get this things right, just imagine a government not being serious with anything concerning our national football, it is unfortunate that we have failure called leaders.

I have read in some places that the national team players of some countries donate their pays to charity organizations and that’s to show how these players are being treated well to the extent that they’re given out their pays to charity homes. How you treat your team shows how they will play in the field. National team management should do better when it comes to the welfarism of the team.

[knowngunman]

Iwobi? Seems to me like you’re trying to set Iwobi for drags. He’s an underperforming player in the national team, he’s never been team leader and lacks the attributes of one. It would be chaotic if Iwobi is made the captain. They should give it to Osimhen. He’s the most hardworking and passionate player on the team.

I swear down 

Iwobi has been on the watch list of the most underperforming player in our squad. Making him to wear the captain band would mean more attention on him and more attention meam more drags on any mistakes even the one that can be overlooked. To be honest, Iwobi is always poor on super eagle jersey and deserve every drag he's getting. I will not recommend him either to lead our team. One quality of a good leader is to show a good example and Iwobi doesn't this good example to show. If hardworking and passion should be considered, Osimhen is a good recommendation on this aspect. Lookman is another player I would like to see wearing the band aside Osimhen.

[Ronsbit]

Who will be the next Super Eagle captain? I nominate Iwobi?

At least he should have played in the AFCON before retiring, i feel he is retiring as well to give chance to other players even as he wasn't started in our recent matches. Retiring at 32 years seem too early for me but it is good that players let go before it leaves them.

I think Ndidi will fit best as our Captain, Iwobi can be in the absence of Ndidi but our first choice can't be Iwobi or Victor Osimhen. The injury you get from the national team isn't worth denying playing for your clubs that pays better.

I don't think he retired because of age or wanting to allow the younger generation to shine, he just did that to stay away from NFF troubles because of what he did. Sometimes it is best to sacrifice that convenience or fear to make sure things are done properly. If he didn't have taken that step to confront the NFF, maybe they would not have paid them their outstanding bonuses they owed them. His move and approach resolved everything and for this, it was a life in line for his national call up which he gave up. At least, now he can focus on his career as an international player till he finally quits football.