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

[nelson4lov]

What's your take on the quality of the Super Eagles if Victor Osimhen isn't playing? A team that depends on a single player will always be inconsistent. The most troubling part of this is that Victor is injury-prone. His aggressive nature of play exposes him to injuries, and without him, the Super Eagles are totally blunt in the attack. This situation is not about key players being disappointed, the reality is that Africa has many teams that are better than the Nigerian side.

I don't think the team is entirely reliant on him because I've seen us perform even on days he was injured. Even if he doesn't play, he contributes to the team on and off the pitch and I'm not perturbed if he doesn't end up playing. The team with this team is that, the day they're going to win, you'd just know. Look at how Lookman stepped up.

And yes, we're not the best team but there are sometimes we have individual players than can do some individual brilliance from time to time.

[Mayor of ogba]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

I’m not confident about the Super Eagles winning the AFCON, maybe GiftedMan works in the NFF lol. I read online that the NFF gave Eric Chelle a mandate that he must take the Super Eagles to the AFCON final, how can this team that couldn’t beat Congo Dr possibly succeed? I don’t think it’s realistic to expect so much from the manager.

The Nigeria national team losing to DR Congo isn't enough reason to say or believe they don't have what it takes to make it to the final of the African Cup of Nations because the Nigeria national team has a good team to achieve that, and since the NFF has given Eric Chelle the ultimatum to qualify for the African Cup of Nations final, it will motivate the Nigeria national team to be more serious in the African Cup of Nations.

[igebotz]

I don't think the team is entirely reliant on him because I've seen us perform even on days he was injured. Even if he doesn't play, he contributes to the team on and off the pitch and I'm not perturbed if he doesn't end up playing. The team with this team is that, the day they're going to win, you'd just know. Look at how Lookman stepped up.

And yes, we're not the best team but there are sometimes we have individual players than can do some individual brilliance from time to time.

I believe the other reason he appears to be very important for the team is that he has no competition in his position - I initially thought Boniface was going to be that guy to give Osimhen a tough challenge for the 9 spot, but he ended up being the biggest flop, hooked and dumped out of the National team.

Until we have real competition in that position, we will be overly reliant on Osimhen, and he has shown on multiple occasions that we cannot cope without him.  He improved the squad when he is on the pitch.

[Spaceman1000$]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

In the last AFCON, Nigeria got to the finals where they met Ivory Coast, unfortunately they lost, taking a second position in that competition. I believe with the crop of players we have, we can get to the finals again, the odds might look not exactly in our favour due to our inability to qualify for the World Cup, but Eric Chelle is one coached that has been impressive with his records, we don't also need a prophet to tell us that the Super Eagles can as well come back home with the Trophy 😁🏆.

[Fiatless]

I believe the other reason he appears to be very important for the team is that he has no competition in his position - I initially thought Boniface was going to be that guy to give Osimhen a tough challenge for the 9 spot, but he ended up being the biggest flop, hooked and dumped out of the National team.

Until we have real competition in that position, we will be overly reliant on Osimhen, and he has shown on multiple occasions that we cannot cope without him.  He improved the squad when he is on the pitch.

Before now, the Super Eagles used to have more than one key player. When we had players like Emmanuel Amunike, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi, Rashidi Yekini and so on in a team. All these players were dangerous up front. In the last Nations Cup, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simeon and a few others were exceptional. Now, from our few games, without Victor Osimhen, everything goes deem. Tolu Arokodare became the worst attacker that I still prefer Victor Boniface.   

[Slow death]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

I’m not confident about the Super Eagles winning the AFCON, maybe GiftedMan works in the NFF lol. I read online that the NFF gave Eric Chelle a mandate that he must take the Super Eagles to the AFCON final, how can this team that couldn’t beat Congo Dr possibly succeed? I don’t think it’s realistic to expect so much from the manager.

The Nigeria national team losing to DR Congo isn't enough reason to say or believe they don't have what it takes to make it to the final of the African Cup of Nations because the Nigeria national team has a good team to achieve that, and since the NFF has given Eric Chelle the ultimatum to qualify for the African Cup of Nations final, it will motivate the Nigeria national team to be more serious in the African Cup of Nations.

Fortunately for the Nigerian national team, they are in an easy group where only Tunisia would be their biggest opponent. If the Nigerian national team is truly playing to win the AFCON, then they should be able to qualify from this group without losses or draws. That is, they need to beat all their opponents in this group, and after that they will play against stronger opponents, and in my opinion, their chances of losing and being eliminated will be much higher. I saw their games in the World Cup qualifying phase; they have a good squad, but they engage in a lot of fooling around during the game, as if the players were completely out of sync.

[Hewlet]

I don't think the team is entirely reliant on him because I've seen us perform even on days he was injured. Even if he doesn't play, he contributes to the team on and off the pitch and I'm not perturbed if he doesn't end up playing. The team with this team is that, the day they're going to win, you'd just know. Look at how Lookman stepped up.

And yes, we're not the best team but there are sometimes we have individual players than can do some individual brilliance from time to time.

Until we have real competition in that position, we will be overly reliant on Osimhen, and he has shown on multiple occasions that we cannot cope without him.  He improved the squad when he is on the pitch.

Even when you consider what opponents will think with osimehn on the pitch relative to what they will think of the super eagles squad that doesn't have osimehn, it's clear that the personality of osimehn makes him a threat to any opponent we are going up against.

Osimehn in the super eagles squad always makes a difference even if he doesn't play well in a single game. It's always a matter of time and opportunity and you see him changing what looks like a tough situation around. With our captain already out of the squad, leadership wise and for the ability to ginger the squad into victory, osimehn has no replacement yet.

[DaNNy001]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

In the last AFCON, Nigeria got to the finals where they met Ivory Coast, unfortunately they lost, taking a second position in that competition. I believe with the crop of players we have, we can get to the finals again, the odds might look not exactly in our favour due to our inability to qualify for the World Cup, but Eric Chelle is one coached that has been impressive with his records, we don't also need a prophet to tell us that the Super Eagles can as well come back home with the Trophy 😁🏆.

Easier said than done bro 😂, Nigeria has all the talent in that squad of theirs to actually make it to the finals and even come home with the trophy too but as you said not all is going well for them and the NFF is part of the problems that the team is facing not only the coach as they have financially deny these boys some rights and no player whose monetary compensation is been toyed with that won't affect their style of play.

[GiftedMAN]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

In the last AFCON, Nigeria got to the finals where they met Ivory Coast, unfortunately they lost, taking a second position in that competition. I believe with the crop of players we have, we can get to the finals again, the odds might look not exactly in our favour due to our inability to qualify for the World Cup, but Eric Chelle is one coached that has been impressive with his records, we don't also need a prophet to tell us that the Super Eagles can as well come back home with the Trophy 😁🏆.

Exactly my point. We have a team that should be intimidating even in the global stage if they're well managed. And that's why I strongly believe that we can beat any team in the AFCON next year. A lot of people are blaming Eric Chelle for Super Eagles failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup but they forgot that he wasn't the team's coach from the beginning of the qualifying games. I'm not a big fan of Chelle but I believe he can achieve something tangible with the team in the AFCON.

[SatoPrincess]

Exactly my point. We have a team that should be intimidating even in the global stage if they're well managed. And that's why I strongly believe that we can beat any team in the AFCON next year. A lot of people are blaming Eric Chelle for Super Eagles failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup but they forgot that he wasn't the team's coach from the beginning of the qualifying games. I'm not a big fan of Chelle but I believe he can achieve something tangible with the team in the AFCON.

I get paranoid talking about the Super Eagles. I’m beginning to think like Eric Chelle, perhaps this Super Eagles teams is haunted or face spiritual problems because I cannot explain their performance. We can blame the NFF and the manager all we want but they are not the ones who are in the pitch. I say we try a different approach this time, bring in unproven players.

[DiMarxist]

Francis Ozoho is back to the team and he said, he is ready to play with the Super Eagles Teammates and win the cup for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles experienced Goalkeepers and now he is here to take the number 1 Jersey from Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. All what we need is the cup and not all this caping.

Super Eagles first match is 23 December 2025.

Tunisia has been given Nigeria issues before but I don't know of this year.

[Fiatless]

Francis Ozoho is back to the team and he said, he is ready to play with the Super Eagles Teammates and win the cup for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles experienced Goalkeepers and now he is here to take the number 1 Jersey from Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. All what we need is the cup and not all this caping.

I was not happy that coach Eric Chelle dropped Maduka Okoye from the list. But I later got clarification from different sources that the Udinese goalkeeper told the coach that he should be excluded from the list if he wouldn't get a guarantee that he would feature in the AFCON matches. Chelle down down this request and decided to call up Francis Ozoho. Okoye prefers to maintain his first team position in his club than to sit on the bench fro three weeks. 

If not for Stanley Nwabali's heroic display in the penalty shoot-out against Congo, I would have suggested that he be replaced by Okoye. The South African-based goalstopper began to make some costly mistakes during the World Cup qualifies. 

[Odusko]

Exactly my point. We have a team that should be intimidating even in the global stage if they're well managed. And that's why I strongly believe that we can beat any team in the AFCON next year. A lot of people are blaming Eric Chelle for Super Eagles failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup but they forgot that he wasn't the team's coach from the beginning of the qualifying games. I'm not a big fan of Chelle but I believe he can achieve something tangible with the team in the AFCON.

I get paranoid talking about the Super Eagles. I’m beginning to think like Eric Chelle, perhaps this Super Eagles teams is haunted or face spiritual problems because I cannot explain their performance. We can blame the NFF and the manager all we want but they are not the ones who are in the pitch. I say we try a different approach this time, bring in unproven players.

No spiritual problem but rather corruption have destroyed the foundation of the supper eagles and the entire NFF, this is because a lot of things have been put wrong and placing wrong peg in the round hole can never give you good results, for that reason, supper eagles will continue to fail if proper restructuring is not done in the club.

[SatoPrincess]

Exactly my point. We have a team that should be intimidating even in the global stage if they're well managed. And that's why I strongly believe that we can beat any team in the AFCON next year. A lot of people are blaming Eric Chelle for Super Eagles failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup but they forgot that he wasn't the team's coach from the beginning of the qualifying games. I'm not a big fan of Chelle but I believe he can achieve something tangible with the team in the AFCON.

I get paranoid talking about the Super Eagles. I’m beginning to think like Eric Chelle, perhaps this Super Eagles teams is haunted or face spiritual problems because I cannot explain their performance. We can blame the NFF and the manager all we want but they are not the ones who are in the pitch. I say we try a different approach this time, bring in unproven players.

No spiritual problem but rather corruption have destroyed the foundation of the supper eagles and the entire NFF, this is because a lot of things have been put wrong and placing wrong peg in the round hole can never give you good results, for that reason, supper eagles will continue to fail if proper restructuring is not done in the club.

At this point I have given up on the Super Eagles. I can only tolerate their poor performances for so long. Ig they like let them lose all their games, that’s their business. Let me channel their enthusiasm towards the Super Falcons, the girls are more dependable than the men’s team.

[Frankolala]

I believe the other reason he appears to be very important for the team is that he has no competition in his position - I initially thought Boniface was going to be that guy to give Osimhen a tough challenge for the 9 spot, but he ended up being the biggest flop, hooked and dumped out of the National team.

Until we have real competition in that position, we will be overly reliant on Osimhen, and he has shown on multiple occasions that we cannot cope without him.  He improved the squad when he is on the pitch.

Of course, the Super Eagle is nothing without Osimhen because he has the quality. One thing that I love about him is that he has he passion and zeal to play for his country. You will see him always motivating the players on the field as if he's the captain. I believe that we might not see anyone to compete that position with him because nobody has that confidence and passion of scoring goals.

[Odusko]

Exactly my point. We have a team that should be intimidating even in the global stage if they're well managed. And that's why I strongly believe that we can beat any team in the AFCON next year. A lot of people are blaming Eric Chelle for Super Eagles failure to qualify for the next FIFA World Cup but they forgot that he wasn't the team's coach from the beginning of the qualifying games. I'm not a big fan of Chelle but I believe he can achieve something tangible with the team in the AFCON.

I get paranoid talking about the Super Eagles. I’m beginning to think like Eric Chelle, perhaps this Super Eagles teams is haunted or face spiritual problems because I cannot explain their performance. We can blame the NFF and the manager all we want but they are not the ones who are in the pitch. I say we try a different approach this time, bring in unproven players.

No spiritual problem but rather corruption have destroyed the foundation of the supper eagles and the entire NFF, this is because a lot of things have been put wrong and placing wrong peg in the round hole can never give you good results, for that reason, supper eagles will continue to fail if proper restructuring is not done in the club.

At this point I have given up on the Super Eagles. I can only tolerate their poor performances for so long. Ig they like let them lose all their games, that’s their business. Let me channel their enthusiasm towards the Super Falcons, the girls are more dependable than the men’s team.

I understand, but with the presence of some players like Victor if the supper eagles management take steps, thing's can change, the fed gov have shown them alot of motivations by provision of fundings and other bonuses to both players and management and with some low level internal re structuring in the management.

[yixichloro2xx]

GiftedMAN as you said Nigeria Super Eagles will win the AFCON Title. I will not think about and not dream about before I will be disappointed. If Nigeria reach the round of 16, it is their luck. Even they play welland go far. They won't win the tournament title. I don't need a prophet to tell me this clear vision. Finidi removed Victor Osimhen, they do rubbish in the World Cup Qualifiers matches, and whenever Osimhen is not in the field Nigeria Super Eagles would not win the game. GiftedMAN prepare your mind to get disappoinment too. Remember nearly cannot killed a Bird.

I’m not confident about the Super Eagles winning the AFCON, maybe GiftedMan works in the NFF lol. I read online that the NFF gave Eric Chelle a mandate that he must take the Super Eagles to the AFCON final, how can this team that couldn’t beat Congo Dr possibly succeed? I don’t think it’s realistic to expect so much from the manager.

The Nigeria national team losing to DR Congo isn't enough reason to say or believe they don't have what it takes to make it to the final of the African Cup of Nations because the Nigeria national team has a good team to achieve that, and since the NFF has given Eric Chelle the ultimatum to qualify for the African Cup of Nations final, it will motivate the Nigeria national team to be more serious in the African Cup of Nations.

For me my two finalist are Morocco and Nigeria both nations has one of the best squads in Africa. For Nigeria this is a must win for them after the disappointment in world cup qualifiers against Dr congo. So winning this Afcon will be like a consolation to their fans and the pressure on them will be very high. What I still don't understand about these super eagles players is that, they will be playing at their top form in their respective clubs but when it gets to the national team football, it is like they are no where to be found examples are players like Iwobi, chukwueze, lookman. It is only oshimen that usually boost the team morale. They always play poor without oshimen and this is what Chelle must solve before Afcon starts.

[Salahmu]

Francis Ozoho is back to the team and he said, he is ready to play with the Super Eagles Teammates and win the cup for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles experienced Goalkeepers and now he is here to take the number 1 Jersey from Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. All what we need is the cup and not all this caping.

He doesn't guarantee anything by saying that because he is just a goalkeeper, Francis Ozoho can only sound guarantee if the post is what he is talking about, and already we have not had issues yet about super eagles goalkeepers because all the ones they have been having are keeping excellently, however since he is back is he going to be use more than Nwabali?. Tunisia will not let super eagles see the first position of the group because they have not had any problem of there players and besides they had a successful qualification after beating all the strong countries that comes there way.

[348Judah]

Francis Ozoho is back to the team and he said, he is ready to play with the Super Eagles Teammates and win the cup for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles experienced Goalkeepers and now he is here to take the number 1 Jersey from Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. All what we need is the cup and not all this caping.

He doesn't guarantee anything by saying that because he is just a goalkeeper, Francis Ozoho can only sound guarantee if the post is what he is talking about, and already we have not had issues yet about super eagles goalkeepers because all the ones they have been having are keeping excellently, however since he is back is he going to be use more than Nwabali?. Tunisia will not let super eagles see the first position of the group because they have not had any problem of there players and besides they had a successful qualification after beating all the strong countries that comes there way.

What else do we expect, when he is just returning, he will say some kind of nice works and make a public appearance in such a manner, because there is also much expected of him as he resumes, so saying that is a usual and common thing to say in making his fans and supporters have more confidence over his return, however, i hope he is truly and indeed well prepared for the task ahead.

[Mate2237]

Francis Ozoho is back to the team and he said, he is ready to play with the Super Eagles Teammates and win the cup for Nigeria. He was one of the Super Eagles experienced Goalkeepers and now he is here to take the number 1 Jersey from Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie. All what we need is the cup and not all this caping.

Super Eagles first match is 23 December 2025.

Tunisia has been given Nigeria issues before but I don't know of this year.

looking at the teams that Nigeria will be facing in the group stages of the Afcon on paper they look easy for the super eagles, but one thing with Nigeria is their inconsistent nature it's really difficult to predict Nigerian games because today they may be up and the next day they are down.but i expect Nigeria to top this group group after the three matches in the group stage.

The super eagles should compensate Nigerians by winning the African cup of Nations for failing to qualify for the world cup next year.the super eagles has been really poor in recent matches which has contributed to their poor run of form.