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

[BitBakerr1]

This is the first time, I'm seeing this news and I have tried to search for it without any good information on it.

However, if the cases has been judged in favor of Nigeria, Nigeria still needs to participate in the six team intercontinental playoffs tournament in March 2026 before they can finally qualify for the world cup.

If the news is true then I think Nigeria will qualify without stress to the world cup in June. The teams that will be faced are pretty much weak teams from Oceania and personally, Nigeria will qualify. So, basically this is the way Nigeria will use in getting to the World cup all tanks to DR Congo for going against fielding ineligible player in a serious competitive match. I really wonder what exactly they were thinking.

I heard that the announcements or the final decision will be made today and till this night I have not seen any announcement or news from FIFA or African football federation. I really don’t know what is delaying them to finalize everything but if they actually finalize or should do the right thing, Congo should be disqualified because they did not follow the rules and regulation. They did an illegal thing and this has happened to other nations before, and they got disqualification, I believe Nigeria we go to the World Cup because I’m sure they would qualify, I have been on online since morning watching and looking for the final news. I’m happy because I’m from Nigeria and I want my country to go to the World Cup.

[Mate2237]

Maybe FIFA wants to give the verdict in the night but there's no need for that, by now there would have been a statement to put this whole world cup drama to an end. But what is the reason for this delay there has been enough time for FIFA to make their investigation should have come up with a conclusion. No need for the delay because there is a lot of suspense on the both ends as both Nigerians and Congolese fans are anxious about their fate today.



But let wait and see the decision that FIFA will make what is certain is that from now till 12 midnight today there will be a verdict and everyone will rest as a Nigerian I hope that the decision will go out way but for the sake of fairness Nigeria failed to qualify from the play offs so no need of raising unnecessary noise looking for an escape route for their failures.

[Callido]

If the news is true then I think Nigeria will qualify without stress to the world cup in June. The teams that will be faced are pretty much weak teams from Oceania and personally, Nigeria will qualify. So, basically this is the way Nigeria will use in getting to the World cup all tanks to DR Congo for going against fielding ineligible player in a serious competitive match. I really wonder what exactly they were thinking.

I'm not getting excited yet, from my own source says Nigeria are still waiting for the verdict from the panel on what they decide on the matter, anything you hear is a rumor to me, until i see more evidence to it. I wouldn't want Nigeria to be there, i believe we can make good use of second chances, Nigeria being in the World Cup will give it more hype, based on the recent complain from FIFA not receiving the hype for the upcoming World Cup tournament.

[Solodoski]

I heard that the announcements or the final decision will be made today and till this night I have not seen any announcement or news from FIFA or African football federation. I really don’t know what is delaying them to finalize everything but if they actually finalize or should do the right thing, Congo should be disqualified because they did not follow the rules and regulation. They did an illegal thing and this has happened to other nations before, and they got disqualification, I believe Nigeria we go to the World Cup because I’m sure they would qualify, I have been on online since morning watching and looking for the final news. I’m happy because I’m from Nigeria and I want my country to go to the World Cup.

Dont be in a haste, FIFA should take their time to make the right decision. I am also waiting for the announcement to be made, in the meantime, we should ignore any new, and also social media post claiming an announcement is made if it is not coming from the original FIFA page on X.

Hopefully, it wont exceed this week, because the FIFA word cup will start in the next 4 months. That means all playoff must be played before that time.

[Roseline492]

Yeah, it makes me wonder because this is a dark act. The NFF should let bygones be bygones. I dont understand why they are pushing for this thing so bad when the fans have removed their mind from the World Cup.

After all, I hear rumour of Erich Chelle presenting his application to be Olympique Marselle manager, meaning if the deal goes through he will forfeit being the Super Eagles manager.

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

[Fiatless]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

No its not just about the NFF trying to right their wrong. It's about identifying an opportunity and taking advantage of it. The naturalization process of the Congo DR is clear, and there are indications that some players didn't go through the right procedure.

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

[Marvelockg]

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

If only we can stand to speak up for ourselves the same way we are speaking up in times like this then most the challenges we are currently facing would have been a thing of the past. from how far the news has come, it is already becoming likely that the verdict is in favor of Nigeria and that a play off is possible. As much as a positive verdict from the stand point of a Nigerian is a good thing, i think that we should be rather more concerned about having a team that can qualify for major tournament without doing anything too serious like going through what now looks like a back door. until then, all these are just short term effort that can never bring the nation to where it ought to be.

[IceLincoln]

No one should think of Nwabali accepting any local deal back to Nigeria because he is too big to be in any team back home, I do not know why he couldn't secure another deal with different club before his agreement to leave Chippa United but if he gets offers from Saudi Arabia or Turkey it is better for him to move there instead of going back to Enyimba in Nigeria where he will not be properly taken care of if anything happens to him like injury.

Well, we normally complain that our local league is not being talk about or being taken serious but at the same time we don't want our star players to participate in the local league? How do we improve the league when every player is running outside? If all players decide to play for foreign countries instead of playing at home, how will the local league survive? To be honest, I see nothing wrong with Nwabali going back to play for Eyimba if he fails to secure a contract outside. After all, Ahmed Musa returned to play for Kano pillars after his huge impact on the national team and heaven didn't fall. The fact remain Nwabali is not bigger than Ahmed Musa. Now, I see reasons why some players linked to Nigeria and Africa at large chose to play for European nation teams instead of playing for their home country.

It is not the end of the road for Stanley Nwabali if he decides to play for the local league in Nigeria, he was playing somewhere else in Africa. The Nigerian NPFL is still a big deal in Africa despite all their shortcomings.
I understand why most people wouldn’t want him playing here; but it’s better he’s active than sitting idle while looking for a new contract elsewhere.
He’s not the first big player to play at home, if not that he’s good he’s not that much of a big player (the National team made him Big).

[Agbamoni]

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? I do not doubt that you will reject the position of head coach at Olympique Marseille.
We dont need any seer to tell us Erich Cheille would leave the Super Eagle if another contract is agreed. A bigger contract means bigger pay, and his coaching career will begin if he does well at Marseille. A lifetime-changing opportunity, he wont miss out on it.

[Princess Leah]

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? I do not doubt that you will reject the position of head coach at Olympique Marseille.
We dont need any seer to tell us Erich Cheille would leave the Super Eagle if another contract is agreed. A bigger contract means bigger pay, and his coaching career will begin if he does well at Marseille. A lifetime-changing opportunity, he wont miss out on it.

That's an opportunity I'll grab without looking back cause if he does well at Marseille it would attract the attention of bigger clubs across Europe, see how Liam James Rosenior got elevated from coaching Strasbourg to becoming the head coach of Chelsea FC a big elevation to his career, so if Chelle gets the offer he should grab it so as to upgrade his coaching profile.

 The Super Eagles would miss him if he eventually leaves but they'll move on, i just hope they’ll sign another quality coach that would try to do better than Chelle not someone that would take them backwards Finidi George.

[Mr Reporter]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

No its not just about the NFF trying to right their wrong. It's about identifying an opportunity and taking advantage of it. The naturalization process of the Congo DR is clear, and there are indications that some players didn't go through the right procedure.

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

Firstly I would want to say congratulations on your new ranks which is looking good on you, I think the the NFF are not even trying to write any worng at all..: i feel they are just trying very possible best to benefit from the situation.

I feel more like the NFF are just bull shite guy’s I think the Nigeria guy should not even praise for doing their jobs it there responsibility to take matter like this into there hands..

[Alonso_]

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? I do not doubt that you will reject the position of head coach at Olympique Marseille.
We dont need any seer to tell us Erich Cheille would leave the Super Eagle if another contract is agreed. A bigger contract means bigger pay, and his coaching career will begin if he does well at Marseille. A lifetime-changing opportunity, he wont miss out on it.

I don’t understand how that news of Eric Cheille is actually possible, anyways I believe that that it’s just all a rumor, because I don’t understand how Marseille is going to sigh him as a coach and African Black man I think this would be absolutely impossible.

I think this rumors originated from when he went to watch the games between Marseille and Rennes, where he meet a Nigerian player that was signed recently, we know it’s possible for him to leave leave the Super Eagles, considering that they didn’t qualify for the World Cup, and if he gets a better contract that is more attractive than the super Eagles I don’t see him staying with the Super Eagles.

[Zigabel]

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? I do not doubt that you will reject the position of head coach at Olympique Marseille.
We dont need any seer to tell us Erich Cheille would leave the Super Eagle if another contract is agreed. A bigger contract means bigger pay, and his coaching career will begin if he does well at Marseille. A lifetime-changing opportunity, he wont miss out on it.

That's an opportunity I'll grab without looking back cause if he does well at Marseille it would attract the attention of bigger clubs across Europe, see how Liam James Rosenior got elevated from coaching Strasbourg to becoming the head coach of Chelsea FC a big elevation to his career, so if Chelle gets the offer he should grab it so as to upgrade his coaching profile.

 The Super Eagles would miss him if he eventually leaves but they'll move on, i just hope they’ll sign another quality coach that would try to do better than Chelle not someone that would take them backwards Finidi George.

I personally do not know how exactly true it is that Chelle was actually offered a contract by Marseille but if it was i want to believe he would take the job without much hesitations because that is obviously a higher call as compared to that of the super eagles if we are to consider the pay and career path exposure and elevation that will bring to him, he is going to build a really better career path from there if he goes for such an opportunity but then like i said earlier i do not know how true this really is because the French league is and would be a really good stepping stone for him to have his career flying really high than it has ever been.

[Roseline492]

I thought they say he had some clubs that wanted him but because of how he loves Nigerian team he doesn't want to go anywhere so what changed his mind to Olympique Marselle?, maybe it was because those clubs or country that was making an advances on him wasn't the way super eagles was handling him, however in as much as he is coaching our national team so long as he would have a chance to coached a club that is not a national team, is going to be a good place for him in French league if he would make the club to improve. Super eagles wasn't ready for new coach but they have to think about one even if Erich Chelle hasn't been accepted yet.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? I do not doubt that you will reject the position of head coach at Olympique Marseille.
We dont need any seer to tell us Erich Cheille would leave the Super Eagle if another contract is agreed. A bigger contract means bigger pay, and his coaching career will begin if he does well at Marseille. A lifetime-changing opportunity, he wont miss out on it.

I don’t understand how that news of Eric Cheille is actually possible, anyways I believe that that it’s just all a rumor, because I don’t understand how Marseille is going to sigh him as a coach and African Black man I think this would be absolutely impossible.

I think this rumors originated from when he went to watch the games between Marseille and Rennes, where he meet a Nigerian player that was signed recently, we know it’s possible for him to leave leave the Super Eagles, considering that they didn’t qualify for the World Cup, and if he gets a better contract that is more attractive than the super Eagles I don’t see him staying with the Super Eagles.

News like that could be real but I'm not even thinking about the impossibility of him going to Olympique Marselle because he is a coach and his career could take him anywhere, however you have sounded like there has not been any Blackman that has coached a club in Europe, the rarely coaching of African person in Europe is true but things doesn't remain the way they are all the time so is possible for European club to start seeing what they like in Africa and giving them a benefit of doubts, I no that you are thinking about what happened to all the better coaches that's from there region to signed but is there decision to choose.

[Nightwatchmare]

As you all must have heard, the NFF have filled a petition to FIFA regarding the Congoleese feilding 6 players who are ineligible to paritipate for the inter-continental playoffs.

The NFF is yet to hear a verdict this week. As FIFA has made it clear that the World Cup qualification is not decided only by goals, points, and form. It is also decided by obedience to the rules and regulations, documentation, and whether each federation meet their demands of the FIFA rulebook.

The NFF is try their possible best for the super eagles of Nigeria to get a place in the world cup. I am against the NFF still making a move for FIFA to disqualify Dr. Congo so that the super eagles can take Dr. Congo's place in the world cup but if Dr. Congo actually cheated in the world cup inter-continental playoffs by feilding 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF did the right thing in filing a petition to draw FIFA's attention to what Dr. Congo did because Dr. Congo would not cheat to get a place in the world cup and expect the super eagles of Nigeria and the NFF to keep silent when they found out Dr. Congo featured 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs.

[Oluwa-btc]

As you all must have heard, the NFF have filled a petition to FIFA regarding the Congoleese feilding 6 players who are ineligible to paritipate for the inter-continental playoffs.

The NFF is yet to hear a verdict this week. As FIFA has made it clear that the World Cup qualification is not decided only by goals, points, and form. It is also decided by obedience to the rules and regulations, documentation, and whether each federation meet their demands of the FIFA rulebook.

I hope they do not qualify for the FIFA World Cup Competition. Congolese has merited it the right way, they should be the country in the world cup and not Nigeria.

The NFF are hypocritical bastards, if they cannot execute the stadiums funded by the FIFA,  how do they want FIFA to take them serious? I mean when they couldn't carry out a proper task. One thing I would love, will be having the NFF directores sacked and chased out.

[Slow death]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

No its not just about the NFF trying to right their wrong. It's about identifying an opportunity and taking advantage of it. The naturalization process of the Congo DR is clear, and there are indications that some players didn't go through the right procedure.

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

I believe the following: On the field, when two teams play and one of them wins without the influence of the referees, then that team deserves the victory. Congo won and Nigeria lost because they couldn't be better than Congo; accepting that is what Nigeria should do. For example, Nigeria beat my country, Mozambique, and I even congratulated Nigeria because, without a doubt, Nigeria is 100 times better than my country's national team.

[Antotena]

I hope they do not qualify for the FIFA World Cup Competition. Congolese has merited it the right way, they should be the country in the world cup and not Nigeria.

The NFF are hypocritical bastards, if they cannot execute the stadiums funded by the FIFA,  how do they want FIFA to take them serious? I mean when they couldn't carry out a proper task. One thing I would love, will be having the NFF directores sacked and chased out.

Seems you decided to take Nigeria NFF by the horn. I'm glad I'm not the only person they have offended and I'm piss by their unprofessionalism. We have to learn from Argentina, that country is known for a lot of bad things but you see how football has help cover their tracks and makes everyone love their country, our own is the opposite and it pains me that we don't attack this body enough to rebrand and improve the well being of the federation.

I don't want to see Nigerian qualify for the world cup, not that because Congolese deserve it, I don't care about their position. If Nigeria get their we will not get pass the knockouts stage. Look at what we were playing in the Afcon recently, we hope when we are supposed to be playing and working hard. Even the players don't like it when they are been called to come play because of the way the national team is been handle, to pay ordinary bonus is a problem.

[Doan9269]

I wonder what the Nigerian federation intends to achieve with this, because from what I see, FIFA has no intention of punishing Congo. If that were the case, Congo would have been punished a long time ago. It seems to me that the Nigerian federation still wants to clean up their image for not qualifying despite having one of the strongest squads in Africa, and the fault lies not with the squad, but with the federation, which failed to hire a good coach early enough.

So now, without AFCON and without World Cup qualification, they need to use this method of complaining to FIFA to clean up their image. Unfortunately, it seems like a path that won't produce great results.

No its not just about the NFF trying to right their wrong. It's about identifying an opportunity and taking advantage of it. The naturalization process of the Congo DR is clear, and there are indications that some players didn't go through the right procedure.

If Nigeria gets a favorable judgment, I know Nigerians will begin to praise the NFF for doing a good job. If it turns out negatively, we accept our fate and wait for another four years. We are still expecting the verdict.

Lets the NFF push further to hear what they have to say first concerning the situation, we must not die before our time, at least, if FIFA have nothing to say concerning the entire situation, then we take it as our fate as fiatless already suggested, but not making a move at all is a direct way of silencing ones self and accepting defeat, which should not be accepted or tolerated, there's freedom of speech.

[Mr Reporter]

As you all must have heard, the NFF have filled a petition to FIFA regarding the Congoleese feilding 6 players who are ineligible to paritipate for the inter-continental playoffs.

The NFF is yet to hear a verdict this week. As FIFA has made it clear that the World Cup qualification is not decided only by goals, points, and form. It is also decided by obedience to the rules and regulations, documentation, and whether each federation meet their demands of the FIFA rulebook.

The NFF is try their possible best for the super eagles of Nigeria to get a place in the world cup. I am against the NFF still making a move for FIFA to disqualify Dr. Congo so that the super eagles can take Dr. Congo's place in the world cup but if Dr. Congo actually cheated in the world cup inter-continental playoffs by feilding 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs, the NFF did the right thing in filing a petition to draw FIFA's attention to what Dr. Congo did because Dr. Congo would not cheat to get a place in the world cup and expect the super eagles of Nigeria and the NFF to keep silent when they found out Dr. Congo featured 6 players who are ineligible to participate for the inter-continental playoffs.

.
Well to me those guys can really not even try to impress me at all self, I feel no now should not even be the best time for the NFF to start to bring possible deal to the super eagles I think it not something they have the power to even do self…the last I check the super eagles guys worked their way out to where they got to at the last game I think so why are they even trying so much to play the right card when they are not even to do so…for a second for the NFF which are trying so much hard to push the super eagles up there are not to too much because I believe that their is no need for such if I could possibly say..