Can Nigeria Bounce Back from World Cup Disappointment with an Africa Cup of Nations Win?

Nigeria will aim to move past recent setbacks and deliver a strong performance in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament. It’s time for some of the big-name stars to step up and for Éric Chelle’s charges to become a more cohesive team.

What Went Wrong for Nigeria in World Cup Qualification?

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason why Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup, as there were many factors that contributed. There was clearly something lacking in the tactical department, as the Super Eagles would often dominate games but fail to produce in the final third.

Some fans have expressed criticism of Chelle, with calls for a coaching change ahead of the AFCON tournament. The former Mali coach has shown that he is unable to adapt to his players’ strengths, often putting players in the wrong positions. For example, he used Alex Iwobi as part of a two-man midfield in most games, when the Fulham player would be better deployed as a winger.

Nigeria Favourites to Top Qualifying Group For AFCON

Despite some people calling for Chelle to get the boot, he does have history in AFCON and was reasonably successful during his time with Mali. Nigeria have already qualified for the competition and, according to the latest sports betting odds, Nigeria are currently priced at 4/5 to finish top of Group C.

The Super Eagles have a strong record in the continental competition, with their style tending to be a better fit against African opponents. They’ve already won the tournament three times, with the last victory coming in 2013. On top of that, they finished as runners-up in 2023, underscoring their strong track record against other African teams.  

The 2025 AFCON looks like the perfect opportunity for Nigeria to get back on track and start to work on some more cohesive tactics. If Chelle continues as head coach, he needs to show some improvement quickly.

Key Players Need to Step Up for Super Eagles

There are some amazing players in the Super Eagles lineup, but they have not lived up to their potential in recent times. With less-fancied teams qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, attention has turned to Nigeria’s key players to deliver stronger performances.

Experienced players such as Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Wilfred Ndidi are expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s success. Then there are gems like Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who should be doing much more in attack.

Despite failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2026, this Nigeria side will go into AFCON as one of the favourites to win. If they can bounce back straight away and pick up a trophy, a strong AFCON campaign could set the stage for Nigeria’s return to the World Cup in 2030.