₦airaland Forum

SymphonyRad:
We're talking about the future this one dey drag us back to Iheanacho in 2026! see how serious teams like Senegal, CIV, Morocco, Cameroon, DRC etc are boosting their squad with younger exciting talents and we are seeing the top level football from them, na why we no dey make progress in Nigeria...always recycling deadweights who are already past it, smh.

You can clearly see the result of teams that encourage the gradual introduction of younger players into their national sides—both of them ended up playing in the final. The Moroccan system allows this, and the Senegalese system, by default, also gives young players opportunities to feature at the national level.

SymphonyRad:
See what Senegal are building around, small Senegal o! see all the future stars all in their early 20's that will go on to dominate African football and compete against the best in the world soon.. meanwhile some enemies of Nigerian football here are still stuck around Onuachu, Iheanacho and other rubber legs in 2026? haba now, make una fear God o...

Senegal football is in safe hands for years to come

https://twitter.com/RisingStarXI/status/2013011909725876402

Senegal no be anybody mate for Africa.

E get one of their handle I dey follow for X, na so dem dey showcase crazy young talents especially midfielders every day. And when I check I will find out that those players aren't even part of their senior team yet, I go just dey wish say we dey produce talents in same proportions too.

Generation-Foot and other great academies in their country have really helped them.

Mujtahida:
This should be the next phase of Chelle's plan. Now we have a football identity. We have our play. Next thing is to build a formidable squad. I don't want us to even have a first 11. We should have a first 22.

I'm eager to see the new faces he wants to bring to the team.

🚨💣 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: A Senegalese man, Cheikh Diouf, has been stabbéd and k!lled in Morocco.

His real name Charles Diouf, he d!ed following an attack in Morocco after the final.

REST IN PEACE 💔🕊️

Blueelf:
Omo the gap between 2nd and 3rd sha

We have a lot of work to do on our football

Looks like you have forgotten where we are coming from!

The teams above us are World Cup semifinalists and two Afcon winners in space of 3 years! We last won Afcon in 2013 and last went to the World Cup in 2018 think about that!

Akor Adams GOAL!
🇳🇬🦅🔥

All 35 Osimhen goals


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJP9HWuTWIw?si=cdQdKUp_67HE4-Ge

Osimhen has never been a bad penalty taker. How time flies. That electric 2-2 draw against Ukraine seems like yesterday.

lol! A team that relied on just two players (Mane and Gueye). Without those two they are lame as f... If Diaz has scored that pen we would not be having this conversation. How many Senegalese made the top team of the tourney. Their defense was so atrocious yesterday that a striker like Akor and Osimhen would have simply walk through it.

They played the mediocre team of the tournament and won a Morocco that just completed a 120 minutes footy.

Nothing spectacular about them. Their attackers and defenders are mediocre.
Nigeria was simply the best team, and if we had the same referee Senegal had against Morocco we would have won!
Every 50-50 balls were given in favor of the Morrocans such thar our players became scared to press them. Especially Onyedika. He became confused!

ChrisKels:
Senegal no be anybody mate for Africa.

E get one of their handle I dey follow for X, na so dem dey showcase crazy young talents especially midfielders every day. And when I check I will find out that those players aren't even part of their senior team yet, I go just dey wish say we dey produce talents in same proportions too.

Generation-Foot and other great academies in their country have really helped them.

Akor Adams Brace!!!

BankyGee:
Akor Adams GOAL!
🇳🇬🦅🔥

Akor Adams BRACE!
🇳🇬🦅🔥

Na the remaining goals wey Akor no score for Afcon na im Dey score for Sevilla now which kain thing be this na 😂

Moniter0:
may God remember Iheanacho and restore his form. Having an in-form Iheanacho and Lookman for that role behind the two strikers will be a very big boost to the team. Any shot on target from an in-form Iheanacho is goal, plus his defense-splitting and pinpoint passes.

Iheanacho in 2026 !!! 🤣🤣🤣

ChrisKels:
Senegal no be anybody mate for Africa.

E get one of their handle I dey follow for X, na so dem dey showcase crazy young talents especially midfielders every day. And when I check I will find out that those players aren't even part of their senior team yet, I go just dey wish say we dey produce talents in same proportions too.

Generation-Foot and other great academies in their country have really helped them.

Bro they're far ahead of many African countries right now, it's actually crazy.

Bossoflife25:
It is not like they like Senegal. It simply because of France's assimilation policy that allows most French born Africans pathway to French citizenship.
Simply put! Future with France is not guaranteed! Player plenty!
Unlike England which does not really produce quality players.
Also, those players you listed are not better than what we currently have!
If we decide to pursue them only Kayode and Nwaneri will be difficult.
We are not attractive but our defence are almost foreign born.

The Senegalese FA is investing in youth football and has a clear policy of where they are headed. It’s easy to see why a Senegalese-French person would be interested in playing for them.

Akor Adams back and banging in La Liga already.

Sevilla's #9

Goke7:
Na the remaining goals wey Akor no score for Afcon na im Dey score for Sevilla now which kain thing be this na 😂

so the guy no rest ... played on saturday come play on monday

Bossoflife25:
lol! A team that relied on just two players (Mane and Gueye). Without those two they are lame as f... If Diaz has scored that pen we would not be having this conversation. How many Senegalese made the top team of the tourney. Their defense was so atrocious yesterday that a striker like Akor and Osimhen would have simply walk through it.

They played the mediocre team of the tournament and won a Morocco that just completed a 120 minutes footy.

Nothing spectacular about them. Their attackers and defenders are mediocre.
Nigeria was simply the best team, and if we had the same referee Senegal had against Morocco we would have won!
Every 50-50 balls were given in favor of the Morrocans such thar our players became scared to press them. Especially Onyedika. He became confused!

Saying Senegal is mediocre is just laughable. Their entire XI has premier league experienced players and they have the next generation of young and talented players in the top leagues in Europe.

They actually have a pipeline for the next AFCON and World cup.

Nigeria has a squad to challenge for AFCON 27 and 28 and qualify for WC’30 but where is our pipeline for the next wave?

Senegal and Morocco are the two number 1 FAs on the continent with how serious they have taken their football development.

See a fellow Ghanaian tearing the Ghanaian ref apart 😂

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GCv4SWEVQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

How many youth tournament have they won?
They are simply benefiting from France's assimilation policy just like the Congolese.
No more no less!
France production factory plenty like mad!
Numerous Senegalese still favors the French national team.
Only Mbaiye is a special talent. Others are nothing spectacular.

mrwilliams9:
The Senegalese FA is investing in youth football and has a clear policy of where they are headed. It’s easy to see why a Senegalese-French person would be interested in playing for them.

Bossoflife25:
How many youth tournament have they won?
They are simply benefiting from France's assimilation policy just like the Congolese.
No more no less!
France production factory plenty like mad!
Numerous Senegalese still favors the French national team.
Only Mbaiye is a special talent. Others are nothing spectacular.

Nothing spectacular but we’re in 3 of the last 4 AFCON finals and qualified for B2B WCs.

Other nations have dual citizens but arent attracting the level of talent Senegal is. Let’s give credit where it’s due.

lol! Like I said they are benefiting from France assimilation policy which anglophone countries does not have!
England does not have much talent therefore young Nigeria players see some pathway to play for England unlike France that has so much talents.
Despite that the best team do not usually win tournament. Luck and teams you meet play major part.
Apart from Mane, and Gueye which of them stand out. That Ndicka will not even bench Benjamin. Despite the hype their best player were still Senegalese born 30 year olds. Which talent are you talking about? Their attack were simply atrocious. Without Mane that team is nothing.

mrwilliams9:
Saying Senegal is mediocre is just laughable. Their entire XI has premier league experienced players and they have the next generation of young and talented players in the top leagues in Europe.

They actually have a pipeline for the next AFCON and World cup.

Nigeria has a squad to challenge for AFCON 27 and 28 and qualify for WC’30 but where is our pipeline for the next wave?

Senegal and Morocco are the two number 1 FAs on the continent with how serious they have taken their football development.

Super Eagles team still needs work. But we have a team ready to win AFCON 27 and 28, but beyond that, we need new faces.

Backline is good

RB - Aina and Osayi
CB - Benjamin and Ajayi
CB - Bassey and Ogbu
LB - Bruno and Sanusi

CM - Iwobi and
CDM - Ndidi and Onyedika
CM - Onyeka and
CAM - Lookman and Chuks

ST - Osimhen and
ST - Adams and

We still need solid back ups in the striker and midfield departments.

Also, we need new blood on the wings and middle of the park. Chelle and has boys have a good base to build with.

AFCONQ will start in September so let the scouting begin now!

Nigeria too made the semis in the 3 out of the 4 AFCONs.
And we were the best team team in two out of the 4. We lost to Algeria in 2019 who won the Cup. In 2021,
Senegal won on penalties against the Egyptian side we dominated and only scored more than a goal once in that tournament - that was how atrocious they were! And who scored those goals (Mane).
In 2023 we lost to Ivory Coast the host in the final.
In 2026, we lost again to the host on penalties.

One country was lucky, the other was not! Simple.
Nothing like one FA doing so..... crap!

mrwilliams9:
Nothing spectacular but we’re in 3 of the last 4 AFCON finals and qualified for B2B WCs.

Other nations have dual citizens but arent attracting the level of talent Senegal is. Let’s give credit where it’s due.

Well said on Uche. I still believe he is the missing link in that midfield/team. No other player matches his profile.

Onuachu brings something different to the team. He is a proven goalscorer. It's just a matter of the team adapting his style when he is on the pitch.

TheSuperNerd:
Uche for Onyeka is also a very good call. Uche can also fill into the Iwobi role due to his strong ball carrying and creative instincts as well. He can be groomed to fill in either roles as he is naturally a deeplying and box to box midfield monster.
Funny thing about Uche is he can also cover the Lookman role as he is comfortable playing close to the box too.
Uche is a multifaceted weapon but covering for the Onyeka role seems like his best fit but keeping in mind he can be just as effective in the other roles.


As for the CF role, I am still not exactly sold on Onuachu hence why I say solid 4 options needed aside Osimhen and Akor.

Bossoflife25:
lol! Like I said they are benefiting from France assimilation policy which anglophone countries does not have!
England does not have much talent therefore young Nigeria players see some pathway to play for England unlike France that has so much talents.
Despite that the best team do not usually win tournament. Luck and teams you meet play major part.
Apart from Mane, and Gueye which of them stand out. That Ndicka will not even bench Benjamin. Despite the hype their best player were still Senegalese born 30 year olds. Which talent are you talking about? Their attack were simply atrocious. Without Mane that team is nothing.

Assimilation policy simply meant black Africans could become French citizens. There are many dual nationals of Nigerian origin but are they being converted to play for Naija? No. But they are for Senegal, so the Senegalese FA is doing something well.

Per their talent pipeline:

Iliman Ndiaye (25, RW) - Everton
Nicolas Jackson (24, ST) - Chelsea loan at Bayern
Pape Matar Sarr (23, CM) - Tottenham
Habib Diarra (21, CM) - Sunderland
Lamine Camara (21, CM) - Monaco
Ousmane Diao (21, CB) - Midtjylland
Mikayil Faye (21, CB) - Rennes loan at Cremonese
Mamadou Sarr (20, CB) - Chelsea loan at Strasbourg
Assane Diao (20, RW) - Como
El Hadji Diouf (20, LB) - West Ham
Ibrahim Mbaye (17, RW) - PSG

That’s 11 players right there under 25. Of which 10/11 play in the top 5 European leagues.

Is that not a talented pool?

Bro Iheanacho is truly not old yet

SymphonyRad:
Una no dey rate Nigeria for this subforum sha, Onuachu as how? Did you watch how ridiculously bad he was vs Egypt in our 3rd place match ...na so another person take mention Iheanacho making a comeback, in 2026? why not then bring back or unretire the likes of Ahmed Musa, Ighalo, Awoniyi and other players who are in the football twilight of their playing careers.. exciting football no dey sweet una otherwise we should be talking about building around Osimhen, Akor and then others like Gift Orban, Rafiu Durosinmi, Philip Otele, Sani Suleman, Njinmah, Femi Azeez, Shola Shoretire and if NFF are serious try court Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumoha, George Ilenikhena, Emmanuel Emegha and other dual nationals who will elevate our attacking options to a 100... players like Onuachu and Moses Simon should be phased out respectfully in 2026, dem don try.

Bossoflife25:
Nigeria too made the semis in the 3 out of the 4 AFCONs.
And we were the best team team in two out of the 4. We lost to Algeria in 2019 who won the Cup. In 2021,
Senegal won on penalties against the Egyptian side we dominated and only scored more than a goal once in that tournament - that was how atrocious they were! And who scored those goals (Mane).
In 2023 we lost to Ivory Coast the host in the final.
In 2026, we lost again to the host on penalties.

One country was lucky, the other was not! Simple.
Nothing like one FA doing so..... crap!

The fact remains this.

Sengal has won 2 AFCONs in the past 4 tournaments. We have come close but we didn’t win, simple as.

If NFF was as competent as needed maybe we have better players for those near misses.

We can try to downplay Senegals success but results are results. For a nation as big as Nigeria the NFF has let us down. 17 medals at AFCON but only 3 gold medals.

The same Senegal we think is a small boy is just 1 AFCON away from drawing level with us.

The "better" player you kept emphasizing is my problem. In 2021 we were simply the best team and that year we had the best striker in the world in top form with another taking the premier league by storm, but alas what happened? They could not make the AFCON.
Name one player aside Mane that has helped Senegal win the AFCON in the last 7 years with their "so-called" youth development?
For me, I do not look at the end goal alone. I look at the events leading to that end goal. We have done everything humanly possible to have won the AFCON in the last 7 years but God says nay, Naija you can't have everything. (music, movie, under 17, Women WAFCON etc). Let others have some too.
It is as simple as that! No more! No less!
Senegal had Mane and luck! Simple!

mrwilliams9:
The fact remains this.

Sengal has won 2 AFCONs in the past 4 tournaments. We have come close but we didn’t win, simple as.

If NFF was as competent as needed maybe we have better players for those near misses.

We can try to downplay Senegals success but results are results. For a nation as big as Nigeria the NFF has let us down. 17 medals at AFCON but only 3 gold medals.

The same Senegal we think is a small boy is just 1 AFCON away from drawing level with us.

Which of them will make the French National team bench?
Arguing with peeps like you is a waste of time.

How many of them made the AFCON team of the tournament?
You guys know more about others than your country. You remind me of one of those Nigerians that got to Accra from Abeokuta and thought Ghana is more beautiful than Nigeria. lol
Nigeria has four quality under 25 in the Seria A and only one of them even made the AFCON list. Two in the premier league who did not even made the list.
Do with that information whatever you want. Ciao!

mrwilliams9:
Assimilation policy simply meant black Africans could become French citizens. There are many dual nationals of Nigerian origin but are they being converted to play for Naija? No. But they are for Senegal, so the Senegalese FA is doing something well.

Per their talent pipeline:

Iliman Ndiaye (25, RW) - Everton
Nicolas Jackson (24, ST) - Chelsea loan at Bayern
Pape Matar Sarr (23, CM) - Tottenham
Habib Diarra (21, CM) - Sunderland
Lamine Camara (21, CM) - Monaco
Ousmane Diao (21, CB) - Midtjylland
Mikayil Faye (21, CB) - Rennes loan at Cremonese
Mamadou Sarr (20, CB) - Chelsea loan at Strasbourg
Assane Diao (20, RW) - Como
El Hadji Diouf (20, LB) - West Ham
Ibrahim Mbaye (17, RW) - PSG

That’s 11 players right there under 25. Of which 10/11 play in the top 5 European leagues.

Is that not a talented pool?

Iwobi's Final Afcon Diaries episode (Ep proves I was right in my observation. FDB did play RB at a point in the second half vs Egypt.

Iwobi says, ".... First #10 to play RB... Never seen a #10 playing RB..." lol

Iwobi also said the Egypt GK wanted Iwobi's shirt if he missed, but it was not to be. Lol


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV-gLInUZWo?si=g1N7cIuriLidKWu1

TheSuperNerd:
Seems to me like Chelle is playing with no actual RB.

Ajayi is covering RCB/RB... Bashiru stays wide at RM only comes back to slot in at RB when we are 4 at the back.

But whem Bashiru pushes forward... it is Ajayi, Ogbu and then Bruno staying back.

Bossoflife25:
Which of them will make the French National team bench?
Arguing with peeps like you is a waste of time.

How many of them made the AFCON team of the tournament?
You guys know more about others than your country. You remind me of one of those Nigerians that got to Accra from Abeokuta and thought Ghana is more beautiful than Nigeria. lol
Nigeria has four quality under 25 in the Seria A and only one of the even made the AFCON list. Do with that information whatever you want. Ciao!

It’s not about making the bench or not. It’s about actually getting them to play for Senegal. They have a structure in place.

Tosin could have played for Naija but would rather stay without Int’l football than play for Naija.

That is telling to me. Do we have this identified level of talent coming up for beyond AFCON 28?

You talked about things leading up to the the end goal and the Senegalese FA being competent is leading up Sengals AFCON success

Bossoflife25:
The "better" player you kept emphasizing is my problem. In 2021 we were simply the best team and that year we had the best striker in the world in top form with another taking the premier league by storm, but alas what happened? They could not make the AFCON.
Name one player aside Mane that has helped Senegal win the AFCON in the last 7 years with their "so-called" youth development?
For me, I do not look at the end goal alone. I look at the events leading to that end goal. We have done everything humanly possible to have won the AFCON in the last 7 years but God says nay, Naija you can't have everything. (music, movie, under 17, Women WAFCON etc). Let others have some too.
It is as simple as that! No more! No less!
Senegal had Mane and luck! Simple!

Calling it Mane and luck is a discredit to their achievements. Mane alone did not win them their first AFCON or 2nd one. It was a team effort.

Let us just agree to disagree.

I am saying Nigeria could be doing more like the Senegalese FA so that our success is more sustained and not just a flash in the pan.

Naija won AFCON 2013 but failed to qualify for 15 and 17.

This is what I’m alluding to with a competent FA that knows how to manage resources (players being one of them).

Senegal made the 19 final, won again in 21 and again in 25.