Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, have received a strong vote of confidence from former international Peter Ijeh to clinch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following their heartbreaking failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
World Cup Dreams Dashed in Dramatic Fashion
The three-time African champions experienced a devastating setback in their World Cup qualification campaign, falling to DR Congo in a nail-biting playoff final. After a tense 1-1 draw across 120 minutes of play, the Super Eagles suffered a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat that ended their hopes of reaching the global tournament.
This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria will miss, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar. The recent disappointment comes despite a remarkable turnaround under new head coach Eric Chelle, who resurrected the team's qualification chances after a poor start.
Chelle's Impact and Road to Redemption
Under the guidance of the former Mali tactician, Nigeria staged an impressive recovery in their World Cup qualifying group. The team secured a second-place finish on the final day of the group stage, highlighted by a commanding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo last October.
The Super Eagles then edged out Burkina Faso to earn a spot among the best four second-placed teams, setting up their fateful journey to the mini-tournament in Morocco. Nigeria began their playoff campaign impressively, thrashing Gabon 4-1 in the semifinal with goals from Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, and a brace from star striker Victor Osimhen.
Former Star Delivers Motivational Message
Peter Ijeh, the former Super Eagles and Copenhagen striker, has now challenged the current squad to use their World Cup disappointment as fuel for their AFCON ambitions. The 48-year-old football veteran believes the team possesses the necessary quality and mentality to secure Nigeria's fourth continental title.
"I believe missing this year's World Cup should be a big motivation for the Super Eagles players to win the Africa Cup of Nations," Ijeh stated in an interview with Complete Sports.
He emphasized that the AFCON presents a golden opportunity for redemption, adding: "The AFCON presents another opportunity for the players to correct their mistakes because what has gone, has gone and there is nothing anybody can do about it."
Broader Concerns About Nigerian Football
The World Cup qualification failure has sparked wider concerns about the state of Nigerian football. Former Secretary General of the defunct Nigeria Football Association, Sani Toro, has called for presidential intervention, criticizing player discipline during the crucial playoff matches.
Despite these challenges, optimism remains high for Nigeria's chances at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The Super Eagles demonstrated their tournament pedigree by reaching the final of the 2023 edition, where they were narrowly beaten by hosts Ivory Coast.
As the team shifts focus entirely to continental glory, all eyes will be on coach Eric Chelle and his squad to deliver Nigeria's first AFCON title since 2013 and restore pride in Nigerian football.
