African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 FIFA WorldCup 2026.

[Nightwatchmare]

Messi had the most assists for the Argentine team, so what do you mean exactly by saying that you wouldn't say he carried the Argentina team? Did you not see the number of times in the World Cup where Argentina looked out and Messi was able to create a chance or score an important goal that kept Argentina in the competition to the end? He could not do so for Argentina against Spain in the finals, hence why they lost.

The standard in your head is Luka Modric; please explain how and why.

Argentina heavily depend on Lionel Messi to win their games in this world cup, and no-one that did not notice this from the first game of Argentina in the world to their quarter finals game should have been able to know that Lionel Messi carried the Argentina team in their game against England because any Argentina player that holds ball always want to pass to Lionel Messi, without Lionel Messi Argentina would not have beaten England. What happened to Argentina against Spain in the final make me understand that building a team around one person is not good because once that person fails to perform well it will be hard for the team to play well and win their game, just like it happened to Argentina.

[IceLincoln]

The last time the super eagles Won the AFCON and qualified for the WC we had about 10-20% of home based players in the team and some also in starting lineup- it was an home based player that scored the goal that won us the 2013 AFCON trophy.

You need players who are hungry and have everything to lose not some players who are already playing in Europe who are more committed to their club than the national team. We don't give chance to those people and that's one of our problems.

This is also one very aspect to their poor performances over this year, because we've seen that most of this European based players have their clubs in mind more than they do for the country, but this was based on the treatment being given to players in the past, because when I was growing up as a big super eagles fans, there was scenario in AFCON cup where the super eagles players was not treated well after they risk everything playing for the country especially when they sustained injuries and in the end these management team will leave them treating themselves or be treated by their various clubs, this the major reason why you see this European based players not really put in their best of effort when they come to play for national team.

This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

[Wiwo]

Messi had the most assists for the Argentine team, so what do you mean exactly by saying that you wouldn't say he carried the Argentina team? Did you not see the number of times in the World Cup where Argentina looked out and Messi was able to create a chance or score an important goal that kept Argentina in the competition to the end? He could not do so for Argentina against Spain in the finals, hence why they lost.

The standard in your head is Luka Modric; please explain how and why.

Argentina heavily depend on Lionel Messi to win their games in this world cup, and no-one that did not notice this from the first game of Argentina in the world to their quarter finals game should have been able to know that Lionel Messi carried the Argentina team in their game against England because any Argentina player that holds ball always want to pass to Lionel Messi, without Lionel Messi Argentina would not have beaten England. What happened to Argentina against Spain in the final make me understand that building a team around one person is not good because once that person fails to perform well it will be hard for the team to play well and win their game, just like it happened to Argentina.

Argentina team performance is not center around lions Messi alone infact right from the start pf the world cup,  Emiliano Martínez have been noticed to be the hero of matches because of the number crucial saves he made in the overall games in the world cup and it finals.

Football is a game of team work and not a one man show, so just because Messi is featured in the match, all the other 10 remaining players become ineffective on the pitch all the player's made their collective contributions and if they lose it means that the opposition team have higher chances a executed them tactically.

[DiMarxist]

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This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

One of the things that is a problem to the Nigerian national team is lack of commitment from the part of players especially from the foreign based players. There is this ego that the foreign based players tends to show especially at the beginning of qualifications. I don't believe that the players are not giving their best due to lack of proper welfare from the NFF. The national team of a nation should be seen as a thing of joy that should be treated as pride when ever a player is called upon to represent the national team.

[Tonimez]

The last time the super eagles Won the AFCON and qualified for the WC we had about 10-20% of home based players in the team and some also in starting lineup- it was an home based player that scored the goal that won us the 2013 AFCON trophy.

You need players who are hungry and have everything to lose not some players who are already playing in Europe who are more committed to their club than the national team. We don't give chance to those people and that's one of our problems.

This is also one very aspect to their poor performances over this year, because we've seen that most of this European based players have their clubs in mind more than they do for the country, but this was based on the treatment being given to players in the past, because when I was growing up as a big super eagles fans, there was scenario in AFCON cup where the super eagles players was not treated well after they risk everything playing for the country especially when they sustained injuries and in the end these management team will leave them treating themselves or be treated by their various clubs, this the major reason why you see this European based players not really put in their best of effort when they come to play for national team.

This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

You see, you raised a good point here. The players we have currently in the super eagles, most of them are people who joined football out of the nations frustration and all they think about is the money involved. Even though they understand that they're lucky to be among the chosen, some of them don't play with passion always. When you watch the super eagles play, you sometimes wonder what some of them think about their appearance for the team. But players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are still exceptional probably because they have seen life in the wider world and has also made a good money outside the country.

The days of Kanu Nwankwo and co saw more passion than we're seeing now, even the Mikel Obi led team that won the African cup of Nations in 2013 was a passionate one.

I won't also blame these people because remembering many failed promises made to most of our past heroes of the game like Samuel Okwaraji and Stephen Keshi, you will see that they just play for the money since they understand that the government doesn't also care much about anybody., but this is not supposed to be because they're representing the national flag on the global stage.

[Oluwa-btc]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

[Spaceman1000$]

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This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

One of the things that is a problem to the Nigerian national team is lack of commitment from the part of players especially from the foreign based players. There is this ego that the foreign based players tends to show especially at the beginning of qualifications. I don't believe that the players are not giving their best due to lack of proper welfare from the NFF. The national team of a nation should be seen as a thing of joy that should be treated as pride when ever a player is called upon to represent the national team.

It is because of the misbehavior of NFF that has led to players not entirely giving commitment to the national team. Why is the NFF only interested in caring foreign base players, why haven't they over the years produce local players, whatever pride the foreign base player comes to the national team with, they should accept it like that because they invested in themselves and the Nigerian football federation has not done their own homework. If they want commitment from foreign base players then they should start showing commitment to home based players, especially the ones playing for our local leagues, NFF should control the league in a way that this local base players can earn good wages.

[Onyeeze]

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This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

One of the things that is a problem to the Nigerian national team is lack of commitment from the part of players especially from the foreign based players. There is this ego that the foreign based players tends to show especially at the beginning of qualifications. I don't believe that the players are not giving their best due to lack of proper welfare from the NFF. The national team of a nation should be seen as a thing of joy that should be treated as pride when ever a player is called upon to represent the national team.

It is because of the misbehavior of NFF that has led to players not entirely giving commitment to the national team. Why is the NFF only interested in caring foreign base players, why haven't they over the years produce local players, whatever pride the foreign base player comes to the national team with, they should accept it like that because they invested in themselves and the Nigerian football federation has not done their own homework. If they want commitment from foreign base players then they should start showing commitment to home based players, especially the ones playing for our local leagues, NFF should control the league in a way that this local base players can earn good wages.

most attends We Blame them because there are the problem we are having, I don't know the reason why there are only concentrating on the international players why before somebody become an international player the person is already been made locally except those ones who started from academic, but it will be a nice suggestion that thry should begin to accept the local players who are being brought up in trenches, and the train them well they might like those people who is international players and those ones who they find valid, so people say that practice is a good teacher, I think the local ones can also do what of the international ones are doing especially when you give them adequate training

[SatoPrincess]

I know how much we really want to talk about Spain, Argentina, and the World Cup discussion to go on for a long time here. I also want it that way, but remembering what this thread is all about won't allow me to think of it, as we are focusing on African football matches and what has happened between African countries, players, and the achievements made by Africans concerning football.

I understand your concerns. IMO it’s too early to end the discussion. It’s only been a couple of days since the World Cup ended. OP is probably letting discussions continue for a week before changing the title. In the mean time, you can start discussions about what’s happening in African football.

The standard in your head is Luka Modric; please explain how and why.

I’m sensing you are too far gone to be reasoned with on this subject. I will let Oluwa-btc respond to your post.

Africa are blessed with other things but not a football because in Africa we don't have much a football academic which Europe continent do have, don't you know that there is some countries that started football with the children when they are in tender age but in Africa you will grow and start playing football on the street before you can be able to meet up and the most of the people in Africa that is doing well in football there are gifted is not something that then learn from somewhere but in some of the European country they normally learn football starting from young age and they study football the way we are studying other courses in primary secondary and the universities so there are far better than us when you come in terms of football and you can also compare with you how many times African have win a world cup starting from the time what Cup started

I disagree. You can’t judge a country’s football identity by World Cups. And I have seen kids touch a football like they were magicians. The problem isn’t lack of talent but rather lack of infrastructure and systems to develop the talents we have. Recruiters aren’t even coming to Nigeria as much as they used to in the 90s.

[OsaiEmma]

The last time the super eagles Won the AFCON and qualified for the WC we had about 10-20% of home based players in the team and some also in starting lineup- it was an home based player that scored the goal that won us the 2013 AFCON trophy.

You need players who are hungry and have everything to lose not some players who are already playing in Europe who are more committed to their club than the national team. We don't give chance to those people and that's one of our problems.

This is also one very aspect to their poor performances over this year, because we've seen that most of this European based players have their clubs in mind more than they do for the country, but this was based on the treatment being given to players in the past, because when I was growing up as a big super eagles fans, there was scenario in AFCON cup where the super eagles players was not treated well after they risk everything playing for the country especially when they sustained injuries and in the end these management team will leave them treating themselves or be treated by their various clubs, this the major reason why you see this European based players not really put in their best of effort when they come to play for national team.

This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

You're so right IceLincoln, and this also reflects in our society at large. These players don't love the country. I know most are born in Europe but if you're representing your country, do it with pride and honor.

If you look at the other football branches in our National team like the Super falcons, u-20 and the likes of them, they're performing exceptionally well because of how dedicated they are to the team, but our big boys are acting all high and mighty, being so nonchalant and selfish. That's why I'll always respect Osimhen who always give his best to the team.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Raphael Onyedika is just 25 years old, the move to Germany is the best shot for him now. He is too young to go to Saudi Arabia, I view that place as a retirement zone for players who are done with their hay days, he should put his career first and not the huge wages the Arabs would entice him with. He is a good player and plays some beautiful football and if he wants to excel, he should shun the Saudi deal.

If he performs well as usual in Frankfurt, bigger clubs might want to sign him and he keeps soaring higher, but if he chooses money first, he might be sabotaging his career.

[Roseline492]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too.

All the move Saudi Arabia club has made in Nigerian players they have not succeeded in one, so they might also failed in Raphael Onyedika because Frankfurt will also give him a lot of money and also make him visible for big team because Bayern Munich methods is always to aim at any players in Bundesliga that is exceptional in the club to make offer and they pays higher fees than a lot of the clubs in Bundesliga so actually there is a good future for Raphael Onyedika in Bundesliga if he would keep up with his best as always because already there is no position he wouldn't play from midfield down to the centre back.

[Doan9269]

If you look at the other football branches in our National team like the Super falcons, u-20 and the likes of them, they're performing exceptionally well because of how dedicated they are to the team, but our big boys are acting all high and mighty, being so nonchalant and selfish. That's why I'll always respect Osimhen who always give his best to the team.

Look at Lamine Yamal, his age an ability when it comes to football, the media claimed is 19 years old and playing with the national team in his country and also for many recognized football clubs, this shows that even in Nigeria, you always go after competency and not name or fame some of this players have made, because they are many young talents that are awaiting for opportunities for them to be recognized but couldn't get to the top because of one reason or the other, I don't think currently age is even a barrier any longer as long as one is above 16 years old and can play for a national team if he has the best ability they deserve, instead of waiting on the senior players with pride.

[Shadiq]

Look at Lamine Yamal, his age an ability when it comes to football, the media claimed is 19 years old and playing with the national team in his country and also for many recognized football clubs, this shows that even in Nigeria, you always go after competency and not name or fame some of this players have made, because they are many young talents that are awaiting for opportunities for them to be recognized but couldn't get to the top because of one reason or the other, I don't think currently age is even a barrier any longer as long as one is above 16 years old and can play for a national team if he has the best ability they deserve, instead of waiting on the senior players with pride.

Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi have already proven that age is not an issue in football if you have the ability. Lamine Yamal is a player who won the Euros at just 17 years old, which is the youngest achievement in history. He even won the World Cup at just 19 years old. He has proven that age is not a barrier to playing in the senior team in football, if you have the skills and ability, you can achieve great things at a young age and establish your dominance.

On the other hand, Lionel Messi has proven in the recently concluded World Cup that it is possible to dominate despite being older by competing with the young. Despite having young talents like Lamine Yamal, Deni Olmo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, he has proven how to dominate the competition for the best player of the tournament in his last World Cup. Although he could not win the best award, his performance was the best. So at least in football, age should not be a barrier.

[Alonso_]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

I saw the links, Eintracht Frankfurt is interested in signing Raphael Onyedika, is a bigger club compared to Club Brugge, Moving to Eintracht Frankfurt would be a very good move for his career, if he successfully moves to the Bundesliga that would be a very good move for him, considering that he is going to have a regular game time, I don’t really think it’s about moving to a particular club, but it’s about getting playing time, and also fitting into the plans of the club.

Looking at his age, which he is just 25 years old, I don’t think moving to the Saudi Pro League would be a good move for him, the Saudi Pro League is only attractive for money, I don’t see the League as attractive as the Bundesliga, He should be more interested in signing for Eintracht Frankfurt.

[igebotz]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

[Jaycoinz]

Our Nigerian brother Raphael Onyedika who plays for the Belgium 🇧🇪 side Club Brugge is currently linked with a move to Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga league competition.

A Saudi Arabian Club are all over the deal though attempting to persuade him too. He was seen recently with Victor Boniface spending their holidays together in the east training together, and playing with the people in the street. I believe he will want to make the move to German Bundesliga and not be influenced by the approach of At ittihad.

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballer would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a Super Eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

It's because of the system they are coming from so you won't blame them , such an opportunity for any super eagles player is seen as the perfect cash out move. The reason why some it's looks different for them is because they would be willing to make the move even if they are in their prime just like the case of Odion Ighalo when he took the money to China. I wouldn't be surprised if such deal came to victor osimien and he took it 😉,

[Callido]

Lol Saudi and a Bundesliga club coming for a Super eagles's player? We already know where he's headed right  an average African professional footballers would tell you there's no pension after football career. Raphael Onyedika would chase the money, it's a super eagles thing; money first before career.

They're not ambitious and doesn't care about winning trophies and building a decent career; they play for the highest bidders.

Will you reject Saudi offer for German pay? The Nigerian player is already 25 years old, and for an average player like you mentioned, moving to Saudi Arabia is the best decision he has to make, as teams are coming for him, eventually he won't be getting the kind of offer and will have to settle for a club that plays in a small division.

African players are not like English players or generally the white, opportunities are to be taken while they are there at the moment, Saudi pays better, and we can actually see the competition for the league too, Saudi is no more farmers league unlike Bundesliga.

[Ndabagi01]

One of the things that is a problem to the Nigerian national team is lack of commitment from the part of players especially from the foreign based players. There is this ego that the foreign based players tends to show especially at the beginning of qualifications. I don't believe that the players are not giving their best due to lack of proper welfare from the NFF. The national team of a nation should be seen as a thing of joy that should be treated as pride when ever a player is called upon to represent the national team.

Playing for the national team is indeed a thing of pride but that still depends on how they’re treated at the national level compared to how they treat them at club level. You and I know how the NFF do their things and you can’t vouch for 100% transparency in their activities in terms of even welfare of the players. Some national team just behave so badly that even injured players are not allowed to be tempered with and the club side of the player takes the player and treat them by themselves. If there is transparency in the whole process, everyone will run to play for their national team when they’re called up to represent their country. This will also be the same for even players that are foreign based and never based in their home country from childhood, every player will love to represent their country.

[Spaceman1000$]

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This is normal or will I say common for our Super Eagles, they don’t give their best for the team at all times. Maybe you’re correct it’s due to how they’re treated or paid but this is a national duty that should be done with pride that among so many footballers you’re the one representing your Nation. Mbappe once said that playing for the National team shouldn’t even deserve pay, and you see it in the way he plays for the National team, he’s his best when he puts on France Jersey. And look at Romero and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, once they’re wearing that Argentina jersey they’re incredible and Martinez plays all minutes as compared to their club side performance, and so many other players who are like that but in our case our boys do the opposite most of the time.

One of the things that is a problem to the Nigerian national team is lack of commitment from the part of players especially from the foreign based players. There is this ego that the foreign based players tends to show especially at the beginning of qualifications. I don't believe that the players are not giving their best due to lack of proper welfare from the NFF. The national team of a nation should be seen as a thing of joy that should be treated as pride when ever a player is called upon to represent the national team.

It is because of the misbehavior of NFF that has led to players not entirely giving commitment to the national team. Why is the NFF only interested in caring foreign base players, why haven't they over the years produce local players, whatever pride the foreign base player comes to the national team with, they should accept it like that because they invested in themselves and the Nigerian football federation has not done their own homework. If they want commitment from foreign base players then they should start showing commitment to home based players, especially the ones playing for our local leagues, NFF should control the league in a way that this local base players can earn good wages.

most attends We Blame them because there are the problem we are having, I don't know the reason why there are only concentrating on the international players why before somebody become an international player the person is already been made locally except those ones who started from academic, but it will be a nice suggestion that thry should begin to accept the local players who are being brought up in trenches, and the train them well they might like those people who is international players and those ones who they find valid, so people say that practice is a good teacher, I think the local ones can also do what of the international ones are doing especially when you give them adequate training

The NFF that I know would not want to invest their money in training players, they would rather look for already made players in Europe, so they can just call whenever there is a competition. And it is part of the reason why they don't want to invest heavily on the local league, and this will automatically led the local youngsters to seek for alternative in Europe, and they sometimes don't make it to the limelight because they either playing for a third division team or might not even make it to Europe at all.

 In my area sometime ago, this was like 4 to 5 years back, some European scout came around and organize a football competition so they could pick some players and take them for trials in Europe, bro you needed to see the amount of youngsters that came out, out of that humongous amount of youngsters that came out, it was only 5 guys the scout selected. You could visibly see the frustration in the eyes of those other guys remaining, all of these is because the NPFL looks like a death trap 🪤 for them