Former Barcelona winger and Nigerian football legend, Emmanuel Amuneke, has thrown his weight behind the Super Eagles, declaring they have the capacity to clinch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. This vote of confidence comes as a beacon of hope following Nigeria's painful failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Path to Redemption After World Cup Heartbreak
The Super Eagles' journey to the 2026 global showpiece ended in bitter disappointment. Despite boasting one of the continent's most valuable squads, the team struggled for consistency in a qualifying group containing Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Benin Republic. Nigeria ultimately lost the automatic qualification ticket to South Africa.
A final lifeline via the playoffs was also severed after a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This marked a second consecutive World Cup miss, after also failing to reach the Qatar 2022 tournament.
Amuneke, a key member of Nigeria's triumphant 1994 AFCON squad, believes the upcoming continental championship presents a perfect opportunity for redemption. However, he stresses that the road back to the top must begin with brutal honesty.
Confronting the Decline in Standards
In an interview with Footy-Africa, Amuneke outlined the critical first step for the national team. "We can redeem ourselves, but first we have to be honest with ourselves about what went wrong and how we can solve the problems," the former international stated.
He pinpointed a fundamental issue plaguing Nigerian football, saying, "The truth is that the standard of Nigerian football has gone down, and we need to understand why because it is very critical." His words carry significant weight among fans and stakeholders given his illustrious playing career and deep understanding of the game.
For Amuneke, the 2025 AFCON is more than just a tournament; it's a chance to restore national belief and re-establish Nigeria as the dominant force in African football it once was.
Talent is There, But Preparation is Key
Despite the recent setbacks, Amuneke's optimism for Nigeria's chances in Morocco is unwavering. He acknowledges the wealth of talent at the disposal of head coach Eric Chelle, with stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Stanley Nwabali, and Alex Iwobi capable of deciding any match.
Yet, he cautions that talent alone will not be enough. "The Super Eagles can win in Morocco, but every nation going to Morocco also wants to win, so it depends on our level of preparation and how ready we are to compete with the rest of the continent," Amuneke concluded.
Nigeria, drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, enters the tournament as silver medallists from the last edition. The expectations from millions of Nigerian fans are therefore sky-high.
The mission for Coach Eric Chelle and his squad is clear: to harness the available talent, prepare meticulously, and aim for a fourth continental title that would restore immense pride to the nation. As the tournament draws nearer, with less than 20 days to go, reports indicate Chelle has already submitted a provisional 28-man squad list to the Nigeria Football Federation.
