Despite falling short of our 2023 AFCON achievements, I would boldly say, without any doubt, that the Super Eagles have the best squad in the history of African football.
This opinion is not based solely on recent performances. In terms of squad quality, the Super Eagles possess the best individual players on the continent. AFCON 2023 is a clear example. Nigeria finished as runners-up despite playing some of the worst football we have seen from the team in years. We adopted a largely defensive approach, yet individual brilliance carried us all the way to the final. On a good day, and with our trademark tiki-taka football, we could have won the tournament in 2023.
Unfortunately, factors such as Ola Aina playing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain—which, in my opinion, was a poor decision—and the fact that several players were carrying injuries worked against us. Even so, we still reached the final without playing attractive or cohesive football.
What this shows is that even without playing well as a team, the Super Eagles were able to reach the AFCON final. Some people may point to our World Cup qualification struggles, but I do not see that as a fair metric. African World Cup qualifiers span nearly two years, during which squads change multiple times. For that reason, I would not judge this team solely on missing out on the World Cup.
Now, in the 2025 AFCON tournament, it is painful that we also failed to win the competition, finishing as bronze medalists in contrast to the silver medal achieved in 2023. Perhaps if the referee had been fair in certain moments during the semi-final against Morocco, and if we had converted all our spot kicks, we could have lifted the trophy. However, there is no point dwelling on “what ifs.” What matters now is the future of the Super Eagles.
Personally, I am excited about what lies ahead under Eric Chelle. Looking towards AFCON 2027, if we play the way we played in this edition—while improving our attacking football—there will be no stopping us. It is also important to note that we were without key players like Ola Aina and our new Mr Reliable at centre-back, Benjamin Fredrick, in this tournament. By 2027, we hope to have them fully available.
The best decision right now is continuity. The Super Eagles have never been known for defensive football, especially considering the quality we possess. That is why Eric Chelle must be allowed to continue his work.
There is a saying that Nigeria has an uncanny ability to self-sabotage. Hopefully, the NFF will do better this time by ensuring continuity—not only by extending Chelle’s contract but also by ensuring that his salary and the players’ bonuses are paid on time. Everyone must do their part and allow others to do theirs.
This is a time for reflection. With the lessons learned from this tournament, I strongly believe the Super Eagles will come back stronger.
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