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

[Wakate]

Of course all blames goes to the coach because it is his job to direct the players on what to do and whenever a problem of a player not giving out his best arises, the coach will be questioned for that, coach are overseers, they are been hired by the club management to take charge of the team and they are been paid for it, is just like a moment that a coach notice that a player has been given 2 yellow card already and he still allows him to continue playing instead substituting him, whatever happens in this scenario will be blamed on the coach because he failed to act fast.

A coach has been given the power to select good players that can deliver a good outcome for the team and if he failed to make sure that the club have a victory on a consecutive time, this could be a problem for him because the team and fan would blame him not the players that are playing what they know best without a caution and directive from the coach that is in charge.

[Localhostspeed]

Nwabali is not longer a small goalkeeper, he is an experience goalkeeper with a good goalkeeping skills. His performance during the afcon tournament is something I really admire. Making me  to  respect his present decision to leave his team and go for another. Normally nwabali is suppose to be keeping for one of the big teams in England or Europe, because he has what it takes to be there. For me Nwabali deserve better, this South Africa league nwabali is presently is not really doing him well. And we will looking forward to see where his fate will take him this time around, but we pray for him to go to where his heart desire.

I like how you pour your respect for him, that guy has done alot but Nigerians has this habit of not appreciating players enough. We are the kind of gamblers that fast forward our emotions when players makes a mistake and we quickly forget the sacrifices they have done over the years. This was the same guy many of us were bashing during the world cup qualifiers but became our guy during the Afcon, one moment we like him and the next one we are with him. 

I still think he is doing well in South Africa, if people don't come for him no way he is going to Europe. Another thing you need to understand about  football business is that not all Africans are lucky to show their talent in Europe. This Onana guy was opportune to go their but his performance dropped significantly, I don't know what came over him but the guy wasn't doing well immediately he left Italia for Manchester United. Sometimes your initial club is the best place to stay.

[Roseline492]

Eyimba should look for another goalkeeper and leave our national goalkeeper alone because those league are too small and will likely make Nwabali to learn nothing from them, is like after having a foreign experience and you are wasting it in a local football, if he wants more to his career he should not see Eyimba as a team to go, his salary may not be too big from the club he left but it will be very big compare to what Eyimba would give him, how much are they even paying people in Eyimba, the best salary for him should be in dollar currency because there is nothing thousand of naira Eyimba would pay him could buy like the ones he has been paid before.

If he sustains an injury while playing, I don't think they will be able to give him proper care as should be, that alone for me is enough reason he shouldn't think of accepting any offer from them, except he's been patriotic and want to promote domestic league just like Ahmed Musa did some time ago. But before Musa did, he had explored his career already and only came back at the later stage of his career, Nwabali is still very much fresh in his career so he needs a place that will help him do and achieve more in his career, so that for the records there will be something to reference, then he can comeback to accept local offers if he finds it worthwhile.

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

[AYOBA]

Nwabali is not longer a small goalkeeper, he is an experience goalkeeper with a good goalkeeping skills. His performance during the afcon tournament is something I really admire. Making me  to  respect his present decision to leave his team and go for another. Normally nwabali is suppose to be keeping for one of the big teams in England or Europe, because he has what it takes to be there. For me Nwabali deserve better, this South Africa league nwabali is presently is not really doing him well. And we will looking forward to see where his fate will take him this time around, but we pray for him to go to where his heart desire.

Honestly Nwabali is one of the best and experienced goalkeeper which he suppose be in a big clubs by now, but I wonder why he still not yet been in a better good club that that play like south Africa league as you said earlier. In previous days back u across one post which said that the reason why Nwabali is still not sign by big clubs is because the guy always feel his self during match; but I don’t think that is the reason why.

Because the guy is not kind of goalkeeper that they will be feel themselves and always fail to bring positive results for the team, Nwabli deserve to be proudest of what his doing, his ambition all the time to make sure he didn’t disappoint his clubs especially super Engles.

[Fiatless]

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

The question should be does Stanley Nwabali have a good agent. This is because majority or player are manger have agents.

Although Stanley said he is open to playing in any Legue which include the Nigerian premier league. But I am not sure that he would return to the local league at this time. He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe, Africa or the Middle East. Retuning to the Nigerian might not happen since there are interest from club in the Saudi Professional League (Al Ettifaq), English Championship (Queens Park Ranger) and an unnamed Ugandan football club.

[Youngrebel]

Is it true this, Morocco is the one hosting the WAFCON2026 this year? And the tournament will kick start in the month of March 17 to April 3, 2026. CAF has also confirmed the hosting. That is, we are expecting to see more dramas in the tournament again like the recent concluded AFCON. I saw the news in social media but I have not seen it in the National Broadcasting Channels. Is it that Morocco is the only country that has a standard football fields in the continent? I don't really understand why CAF is just like to use them.
Personally, I don't like what happened in the recent past AFCON tournament in the continent. Not only the final but from the knockout stage. Referees and other officials were not showing sportsmanship.

[Mr Reporter]

Of course all blames goes to the coach because it is his job to direct the players on what to do and whenever a problem of a player not giving out his best arises, the coach will be questioned for that, coach are overseers, they are been hired by the club management to take charge of the team and they are been paid for it, is just like a moment that a coach notice that a player has been given 2 yellow card already and he still allows him to continue playing instead substituting him, whatever happens in this scenario will be blamed on the coach because he failed to act fast.

A coach has been given the power to select good players that can deliver a good outcome for the team and if he failed to make sure that the club have a victory on a consecutive time, this could be a problem for him because the team and fan would blame him not the players that are playing what they know best without a caution and directive from the coach that is in charge.

I think you might be making a good point here coaches are having so many, the coach is under pressure! If the team isn't winning, fans and management will look to him for answers. It's his job to guide the players and make tactical decisions. Well too me I feel more fans should be more careful the way they ask for to many requests.
Pick the right squad for each match,Ensure players know their roles,Performance Pressure Results dictate his fate.

[Sammysmart001]

this thread will serve as a dedicated hangout joint..
Ps: Previous Discussion

Nice hit OP. We really need space for home grown football talk very necessary.
After this them Morocco beat Madagascar 3- 2 for final last August. It obvious that our own local leagues have serious talent.
But the thing be say African Nations League go launch soon. Just worried this might be the last time we see a dedicated home based tournament like that of CHAN. Do u guys really think our local stars them go get enough scouts attention is them CHAN con replace.

[Roseline492]

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe, Africa or the Middle East. Retuning to the Nigerian might not happen since there are interest from club in the Saudi Professional League (Al Ettifaq), English Championship (Queens Park Ranger) and an unnamed Ugandan football club.

Saudi Arabia and English championship is very okay for the goalkeeper, if he wants more money he would go to Saudi Arabia but if he wants to see himself on the main league of English he would stay on championship  with Queens Park Ranger because even if Queens Park Ranger cannot qualify with him on the premier League but before his years of contract will end England must have already knew the goalkeeper he is and then one of those underdog on Premier League will find him very useful and before he knows, his career would be revolving within England as Iwobi is.

[Nightwatchmare]

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe, Africa or the Middle East. Retuning to the Nigerian might not happen since there are interest from club in the Saudi Professional League (Al Ettifaq), English Championship (Queens Park Ranger) and an unnamed Ugandan football club.

Saudi Arabia and English championship is very okay for the goalkeeper, if he wants more money he would go to Saudi Arabia but if he wants to see himself on the main league of English he would stay on championship  with Queens Park Ranger because even if Queens Park Ranger cannot qualify with him on the premier League but before his years of contract will end England must have already knew the goalkeeper he is and then one of those underdog on Premier League will find him very useful and before he knows, his career would be revolving within England as Iwobi is.

Nwabali should never accept the offer that is coming from Queens Park Ranger, because Queen Park Ranger will never gain promotion to the English football top flight, and i believe no club in the premier league will show interest to sign Nwabali when his contract ends with Queens Park Ranger because Nwabali will be 30 years plus when his contract with Queens Park Ranger come to an end. I would advise Nwabali to accept the offer from Al Ettifaq because he will be in the first eleven in Al Ettifaq and he will earn huge amount of money he can use and better his life after retiring from football.

[yixichloro2xx]

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe, Africa or the Middle East. Retuning to the Nigerian might not happen since there are interest from club in the Saudi Professional League (Al Ettifaq), English Championship (Queens Park Ranger) and an unnamed Ugandan football club.

Saudi Arabia and English championship is very okay for the goalkeeper, if he wants more money he would go to Saudi Arabia but if he wants to see himself on the main league of English he would stay on championship  with Queens Park Ranger because even if Queens Park Ranger cannot qualify with him on the premier League but before his years of contract will end England must have already knew the goalkeeper he is and then one of those underdog on Premier League will find him very useful and before he knows, his career would be revolving within England as Iwobi is.

Yeah you are right, he just accept the offer from Saudi Arabia, even if it is to play for 2 years he should still accept it. Because 2 years salary in Saudi Arabia will be far greater than 4 year salary in Queens Park rangers and we know how England tax is very high. But in Saudi I don't think they tax, even if they tax people it will be smaller compared to England. There is nothing Nwabali wants to prove in England, no top English club can sign so that  Saudi is the best place for him. If Qpr even managed to qualify to the premier, they will surely sell nwabali because they will want to reshuffle the squad and base on nwabali age , he won't be able to continue with them.

[Coin_info]

He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe

Is he really world class? I don't think he is just yet. He is a good goalkeeper, but not a world class goalkeeper, I don't think the Super Eagles have been in any major world competition were he has really been tested.

If Nigeria was going to make it to the world cup, that would have been a good place for him to showcase his worth, and since there are many clubs watching, having a club would not have been difficult.

[Tonimez]

He is a world class goalkeeper that should be in a top club in Europe

Is he really world class? I don't think he is just yet. He is a good goalkeeper, but not a world class goalkeeper, I don't think the Super Eagles have been in any major world competition were he has really been tested.

If Nigeria was going to make it to the world cup, that would have been a good place for him to showcase his worth, and since there are many clubs watching, having a club would not have been difficult.

I don't know what you mean by world class competition here. So the AFCON is not a world class competition? A competition that the FIFA president attended is not a world class? See the only problem I know could be originality and character problem. Again his agent doesn't seem to be doing enough because if he is doing enough,he could have secured a good team to go. However, I think his arrogance could also be part of his nightmare but he wouldn't understand yet. He has to accept a move outside the home country. I have seen news linking him to Enyimba FC but I don't think he would leave the Saudi clubs and Queens park rangers to go back to the Enyimba FC.

Al-Ettifaq is still his best option because he can easily get a better offer from there back to the top European teams or to a better Saudi side like Al Hilal or Al Nassir. He has the quality, what is left is only his agent to be more intentional about getting him a good deal.

[Accardo]

I have seen news linking him to Enyimba FC but I don't think he would leave the Saudi clubs and Queens park rangers to go back to the Enyimba FC.

With what is going on right now, the trend and convos happening around the Nigerian Goalkeeper, his target of suitors would be very well linked to places like Saudi or Turkey, where clubs want footballers who would come along with their fans. Nwabali's move out of Chippa has brought about more audience to the club and raised a beautiful question about what would be his next move. Enyimba is good, but from the look of it, he would have moved in immediately to a Nigerian Club if that was his plan, Nwabali appears to be searching for international deals.

[Spaceman1000$]

Eyimba should look for another goalkeeper and leave our national goalkeeper alone because those league are too small and will likely make Nwabali to learn nothing from them, is like after having a foreign experience and you are wasting it in a local football, if he wants more to his career he should not see Eyimba as a team to go, his salary may not be too big from the club he left but it will be very big compare to what Eyimba would give him, how much are they even paying people in Eyimba, the best salary for him should be in dollar currency because there is nothing thousand of naira Eyimba would pay him could buy like the ones he has been paid before.

If he sustains an injury while playing, I don't think they will be able to give him proper care as should be, that alone for me is enough reason he shouldn't think of accepting any offer from them, except he's been patriotic and want to promote domestic league just like Ahmed Musa did some time ago. But before Musa did, he had explored his career already and only came back at the later stage of his career, Nwabali is still very much fresh in his career so he needs a place that will help him do and achieve more in his career, so that for the records there will be something to reference, then he can comeback to accept local offers if he finds it worthwhile.

Does Nwabali actually have an agent?, because if there is an agent for him why haven't him source for other team in another country that's not Africa?, there should be club who would accommodate him. A goalkeeper who wants to promote there league mostly starts from his own state just like Ahmed Musa, he didn't want to go into another state to help there football but he decided to impact on his home states but Nwabali will be going to Abia state that has the Eyimba but meanwhile he come from River State that should have been his first when it comes to do with playing on the domestic level.

The contract to get a goalkeeper is always a difficult one because most Club already have outstanding goalkeepers, sometimes they have outstanding goalkeepers up to three choice, so getting a team for a goalkeeper is a big task especially for agents. If Nwabali was a striker trust me he will have gotten one European club to play by now. Take for instance how in a hurry Atletico Madrid got Ademola Lookman, immediately the AFCON ended, they went after him, trust me Nwabali would have been rushed if he was a striker. His move might come, but not as sudden as most people will expect.

[DiMarxist]

Of course all blames goes to the coach because it is his job to direct the players on what to do and whenever a problem of a player not giving out his best arises, the coach will be questioned for that, coach are overseers, they are been hired by the club management to take charge of the team and they are been paid for it, is just like a moment that a coach notice that a player has been given 2 yellow card already and he still allows him to continue playing instead substituting him, whatever happens in this scenario will be blamed on the coach because he failed to act fast.

A coach has been given the power to select good players that can deliver a good outcome for the team and if he failed to make sure that the club have a victory on a consecutive time, this could be a problem for him because the team and fan would blame him not the players that are playing what they know best without a caution and directive from the coach that is in charge.

Though I am not following the discussion from the beginning but from you said, that is very correct. The players most obey the instructions of the coach and the coach supposed knows who to play in every Match or game. Who should play in the first half and second half. That is why when a team is under performing, the coach is to be blamed. Today, we are all praising the Super Eagles because of the Coach Eric Chelle training on the players. We can see many examples in the world.
The football federation or association or the management of any team should allow the coach to select players and not them to recommend for the Coach. Though if they know or see any good players, they can recommend for the coach and it is the duty of the coach to checkmate the recommended player (s).

[Rockson1]

Of course all blames goes to the coach because it is his job to direct the players on what to do and whenever a problem of a player not giving out his best arises, the coach will be questioned for that, coach are overseers, they are been hired by the club management to take charge of the team and they are been paid for it, is just like a moment that a coach notice that a player has been given 2 yellow card already and he still allows him to continue playing instead substituting him, whatever happens in this scenario will be blamed on the coach because he failed to act fast.

A coach has been given the power to select good players that can deliver a good outcome for the team and if he failed to make sure that the club have a victory on a consecutive time, this could be a problem for him because the team and fan would blame him not the players that are playing what they know best without a caution and directive from the coach that is in charge.

I agree to this and all you said, I think we should also look at it from the reason why they are been allowed to make decisions on the players that are to be bought by clubs, or players that should be invited for national team football in that regard I think coaches are in position to figure out players that might not perform very well for the team they are coaching, some persons do not understand that the position of a coach is not that easy, that is why when some coaches notice that they are not doing well for the club that hired them, they decide to resign to avoid being sacked, they blame will always be on them and that is right.

[Kelward]

I have seen news linking him to Enyimba FC but I don't think he would leave the Saudi clubs and Queens park rangers to go back to the Enyimba FC.

With what is going on right now, the trend and convos happening around the Nigerian Goalkeeper, his target of suitors would be very well linked to places like Saudi or Turkey, where clubs want footballers who would come along with their fans. Nwabali's move out of Chippa has brought about more audience to the club and raised a beautiful question about what would be his next move. Enyimba is good, but from the look of it, he would have moved in immediately to a Nigerian Club if that was his plan, Nwabali appears to be searching for international deals.

With respect to our local league if Nwabali, moves to Eyimba or any club in our domestic league that means that he has signed his early retirement from international football. You cannot expect the level of playing in our local league to that of top European clubs so for his career to still be relevant internationally he should consider playing outside Africa. He can go for top competition in England or go for money in Saudi Arabia, either of the two is better than playing in our local league at this stage, our local league is far behind compared to these leagues. I wish him all the best in his future career, he is still a good goalkeeper.

[Mr Reporter]

Of course all blames goes to the coach because it is his job to direct the players on what to do and whenever a problem of a player not giving out his best arises, the coach will be questioned for that, coach are overseers, they are been hired by the club management to take charge of the team and they are been paid for it, is just like a moment that a coach notice that a player has been given 2 yellow card already and he still allows him to continue playing instead substituting him, whatever happens in this scenario will be blamed on the coach because he failed to act fast.

A coach has been given the power to select good players that can deliver a good outcome for the team and if he failed to make sure that the club have a victory on a consecutive time, this could be a problem for him because the team and fan would blame him not the players that are playing what they know best without a caution and directive from the coach that is in charge.

I agree to this and all you said, I think we should also look at it from the reason why they are been allowed to make decisions on the players that are to be bought by clubs, or players that should be invited for national team football in that regard I think coaches are in position to figure out players that might not perform very well for the team they are coaching, some persons do not understand that the position of a coach is not that easy, that is why when some coaches notice that they are not doing well for the club that hired them, they decide to resign to avoid being sacked, they blame will always be on them and that is right.

Come on man I think we all are saying the same thing here i feel every coach has a equal opportunity right to set the team for the game and also a fully right to make chose of who is going to be playing at the game, I think you  are really right no this part some people can not even differentiate a coach and a line man smiles this might sound funny but that just the truth here most times I have seeing this happened so many time…people feel the players so control the coach which that is every impossible every one on the pitch has a very risk and roles to play at the time so I feel people should completely coming with is kind of inconvenient things…

[Ronsbit]

I have seen news linking him to Enyimba FC but I don't think he would leave the Saudi clubs and Queens park rangers to go back to the Enyimba FC.

With what is going on right now, the trend and convos happening around the Nigerian Goalkeeper, his target of suitors would be very well linked to places like Saudi or Turkey, where clubs want footballers who would come along with their fans. Nwabali's move out of Chippa has brought about more audience to the club and raised a beautiful question about what would be his next move. Enyimba is good, but from the look of it, he would have moved in immediately to a Nigerian Club if that was his plan, Nwabali appears to be searching for international deals.

With respect to our local league if Nwabali, moves to Eyimba or any club in our domestic league that means that he has signed his early retirement from international football. You cannot expect the level of playing in our local league to that of top European clubs so for his career to still be relevant internationally he should consider playing outside Africa. He can go for top competition in England or go for money in Saudi Arabia, either of the two is better than playing in our local league at this stage, our local league is far behind compared to these leagues. I wish him all the best in his future career, he is still a good goalkeeper.

I agree with your point here. Nwabali should not think of coming for our local league; otherwise, his career is over because he would drop in value, and no European team would come for him because they would see him as a local champion and would not bother about him anymore. He is still active, vibrant, and ready to return home. He needs to maintain his reputation and career by going for a bigger club, even if let him just remain in europe even though a small club comes for him he should just go and forget about our local league.