₦airaland Forum

Papi85:

A short horror storypic.twitter.com/M6zgyZtPWc

— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) January 19, 2026

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Everywhere blllluuurrr 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Is a question of if he is on form or not. And if he is on form, is he better than the competition? Agreed, there should be no mention of Ihaenacho for now, but it should not be implied that he is finished, until it is obvious.

SymphonyRad:
This isn't about age, it's about recycling the same players we've known for years...Iheanacho has always been one of my favorite players but his work rate is poor and we've been through that route already with players with those attributes, no disrespect to senior man but I struggle to see anything new and interesting he can offer us at this point. Sometimes it's just best to close the chapter on certain things.

Some other players that should get a look in Chuba Akpom = Second striker back up for akor.
Bob Murphy omoregbe = Right wing option or possible replacement for Moses Simon.
Victor Eletu= Time to time call up to get used to the eagles setup.
Sani Suleiman= Replacement for Moses Simon
Gift Orban= Lookman's back up behind the 2 strikers.

Oliseh Dey para 😂


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajbU11Xnq_s?si=W_sviG251a2gBqzC

Nigeria will win the 2027 AFCON
January 20, 2026

By Azuka Onwuka

With the completion of the African Cup of Nations in Morocco this past weekend, I predict that Nigeria will win the next edition in 2027. That sounds like the kind of statement that attracts laughter and argument, because of many instances when Nigeria had looked strong on paper but ended up disappointing everyone. Nigerian football has taught us to be cautious with bold predictions. Yet this is a conclusion drawn from the past and the present.

The first evidence is the quality of Nigeria’s current crop of players. Nothing shows this better than Nigeria winning the CAF Footballer of the Year award back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 via Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman and being in contention in 2025. The CAF award reflects an era of excellence at the top level. It also sends a message to the rest of Africa: Nigeria has elite players again, not just one or two, but a group.

The last time Nigeria won the award before Osimhen was in 1999, when Nwankwo Kanu won it. That long gap tells its own story. Nigeria has always had talent, but for years, the best Nigerian players were not being recognised as the very best in Africa. Now the recognition is back. This is important because when a country begins to produce the continent’s best player consistently, it often means that country has a strong generation coming through.

History also supports this prediction. When the Super Eagles were at the top of their game in the mid-1990s, Nigeria also produced African Footballer of the Year winners back-to-back for some years through Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba and Nwankwo Kanu. Those were the years when Nigeria did not just compete but imposed itself. The team played with confidence and organisation. Opponents feared them.

That is why I see the current situation as a return to a familiar pattern. The signs are not only in the awards and the individual brilliance. The signs are also in how the Super Eagles are developing as a team. To understand where Nigeria is going, it is good to look back at the early 1990s. Nigeria’s journey to greatness in that era did not begin with winning but with building.

In 1990, Nigeria came second at the AFCON hosted by Algeria. Clemens Westerhof had just taken over as coach. The team showed promise, but it was still learning itself. Progress was shown in the fact that Nigeria played its first match with an embarrassing loss of 5-1 to Algeria. But in the final match, when the two countries met again, Algeria narrowly won with one goal.

By 1992, when Senegal hosted the tournament, Nigerians believed they would win the cup. But the Super Eagles were stopped in the semi-finals by Ghana, led by Abedi Pele. Rather than the gold, Nigeria ended up with the bronze medal. That 1992 team was good, but it was obvious it was not complete.

When 1994 arrived, the Eagles had matured. Everything changed. The players had played together for over four years under the same coach. The result was winning the cup at Tunisia ’94. And that same year, Nigeria went to the World Cup for the first time – and made a mark. Two months before the World Cup, Nigeria was rated number five in the FIFA ranking, the highest an African country has ever achieved.

The lesson from that era is that when we keep a good team together, with stable coaching and proper support, we become a formidable force. That is why 2027 looks like a year when Nigeria will hit its peak. Nigeria is currently in a stage that resembles the early part of that 1990s journey. We have a squad filled with top players. We have a team that has shown it can compete and win tough matches. But we still need to take the final step, which is turning potential into dominance.

The difference between a good team and a champion is not just talent. The difference is continuity and preparation. Nigeria can win the 2027 AFCON if three things happen.

First, Nigeria must retain the coach and the technical path of the team. This is about avoiding the Nigerian habit of restarting every time we fail to win. Football teams do not become champions by changing managers every time they lose. A coach needs time to build a pattern of play and relationships.

Second, the team must be supported properly. Support is not only about money. Organisation is very important. Strategic friendly matches are crucial. There is also the need to create a professional environment where players can focus on football. Ensuring there is fairness and seriousness in team selection is important too. When players believe they are in a credible system, they give more.

Support also means the football authorities must stop treating competitions like emergencies. Preparation should not start two weeks before a tournament. A winning team is built over months and years.

Third, the Super Eagles must be exposed to more competitions and high-level matches. Nigeria needs to play against different styles from other parts of the world.

By 2027, if Nigeria keeps this squad together and gives them serious match exposure, they will be so strong that they will become unstoppable. And even the usual external problems like poor officiating and local hostility will not be enough to stop them. The best teams reduce the power of those factors by being too prepared and too disciplined to panic.

Another reason this prediction is realistic is the location of the 2027 AFCON. The tournament will be hosted by three East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This matters because football is not played in a vacuum. Climate, travel demands, pitch conditions, and crowd energy affect tournaments. A multi-country hosting arrangement will create a unique environment, and teams that are organised and focused will benefit more than teams that rely on last-minute miracles.

Nigeria has the kind of squad that can adapt. Many of the players play in Europe and are used to travelling and staying mentally strong. But adaptation will still depend on preparation. If Nigeria approaches the tournament with seriousness, the environment will not be an obstacle.

Of course, football is never a straight line. Injuries can happen, and form can drop. Other countries are also not sleeping. And sometimes, a team catches fire and becomes unstoppable for one tournament.

But Nigeria has some features that cannot be ignored now. These include talent, momentum, and a clear opportunity to build a long-term team. When a country wins African Footballer of the Year back-to-back, it is usually not a coincidence. It is a sign of a generation that can carry a nation. Nigeria should treat it that way.

So yes, I am predicting that Nigeria will win the 2027 AFCON. Not because Nigerians like to boast. Not because we like to dream. But because the ingredients are already on the table. If Nigeria does what successful football nations do, then 2027 will not be a surprise. It will be the moment Nigeria finally matches its talent with its organisation. And when that happens, the cup will not be a miracle. It will be the result of building properly.

X: @BrandAzuka

Copyright PUNCH

Truidstarr:
Hmmmmmm..........DRC...... Loading.........

Alaye drop info

Kog45:
Go to archive

I started watching AFCON in 1988. Since we defeated them in 1992 and 2000 ,I cannot recalled when Nigeria defeated Senegal senior national team.

Odunayaw:
Everyone can reasonably argue for their position on this thing.

The expected reaction from the Moroccans is proof on one hand, the unexpected reaction from Senegal (though I saw one of them jump for joy) is proof for the other.

I am not able to fit that picture of altruism with the Moroccan team.

It fits for me that the level of tension generated in that scenario informed the natural human response to take the safest option — down the middle.

You just summed up everything with your response here. There are contradictory reactions from both sides that fit different narratives. Senegal players not celebrating favours the stance that Diaz missed deliberately. Diaz weeping and Moroccoan players showing disappointment favours the stance that Diaz didn't miss deliberately.

What I think is Diaz just chose to lose the penalty as fair play without consulting his teammates. Maybe he did whisper something to one of the Senegal players (Mane maybe) about losing the PK.

Sarsaparilla524:
"Carney Chukwuemeka is now open to playing for the Super Eagles." His camp has stated that the Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder is willing to represent Nigeria at the senior level and will seize the opportunity when it arises, as there is a great chance to play for Nigeria now.

The 22-year-old, who can also play as a left winger, was born to Nigerian parents in Austria and grew up in England. He is eligible to play for all three countries, but so far, he has only represented England at various youth levels.

The news is legit.

You dey shame to talk say na from the site of the usual merchant of lambas wey this fake news emanate from?

People still dey read Owngoal news in 2026?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19v1akcH1U/

Odunayaw... Check this moment before the PK.

BTW, Mane is such a cool guy.

yinkeys:
Egyptians complained about the referee blocking their view before Sadio Mané took thst shot

Sénégal used everything that happened in Nigerias game as a model to prepare for the worst
They were not leaving that stadium without the trophy, they had champions shirts already printed
Obvious FIFA, CAF and the establishment wanted to gift Morocco this éditions trophy
Morocco helps CAF with facilities but that doesn’t mean CAF should go outrightly to make sure Morocco win
Sénégal went to Rabat stadium ready for wa.r in football, physicality & politically

Super Falcons & Bayana Bayana next
CAF will favour Morocco again
If Morocco loses, they’d take CAF to court again lol

I like your comment especially the bolded part . Imagine Senegalese second choice goalkeeper was assigned to ensure that he gave Mendy towel and stationed there permanently throughout the match but for Nwabali they took his towel even threw banana at him ,he ate it . What if the banana was poisonous?
This coming women AFCON will be very tough and rough . Algeria will play Morocco. Algeria and Egypt celebrated Senegal victory .

Spainever:
I started watching AFCON in 1988. Since we defeated them in 1992 and 2000 ,I cannot recalled when Nigeria defeated Senegal senior national team.

Twice in 2006.

Mujtahida:
I've seen torrent of condemnation poured on Morocco in the wake of the AFCON final.

Many of these criticisms are justified but like I say, when we condemn the bad conduct of a man, let us also remember his good side.

Many people attack Morocco saying that they don't see themselves as Africans yet this same Morocco with all the huge financial outlay it requires, has come to bail out CAF several times offering to host CAF events and tournaments when other African countries hide in the shadows like cowards.

See our Nigeria cannot even bid not to talk of hosting youth tournaments.

Morocco gave us the most spectacular Afcon tournament yet. We thank them. But they should note that hosting does not mean you must win. It was that desperation egged on by a sheepish CAF that led to the event of last Sunday, which almost ruined an otherwise colorful and delicious footballing event.

Truly in Afcon, we play different. This tournament is somehow beginning to have more jazz than other footballing events - it offers you color, vibe, drama, conflict, high, low. It's epic. It's African footballing cinema for global viewership.

I've watched a couple of Afcons. Afcon wasn't like this before. Something happened in 2023. Afcon feels different now. The quality of the football is of a high caliber. Even teams of low pedigree display tactical acumen and tenacity. African football is growing.

Afcon is ours. Let us enjoy it. Let us protect it.

How I wish I can like it more than once!

How I wish Sir Motsepe can see the last line and reverse our darling Afcon back to biennial competition

So you missed the 2006 Afcon. How unfortunate.

Spainever:
I started watching AFCON in 1988. Since we defeated them in 1992 and 2000 ,I cannot recalled when Nigeria defeated Senegal senior national team.

Exactly. After that it was a draw and a loss in 2 friendlies. In Competitive games (especially Afcon), Nigeria flogs Senegal nearly everytime (2002 is the exception).

Nomyth:
Twice in 2006.

Spainever:
I started watching AFCON in 1988. Since we defeated them in 1992 and 2000 ,I cannot recalled when Nigeria defeated Senegal senior national team.

2000 AFCON quarter-final. We beat them 2-1.
2006 AFCON group stage. We beat them 2-1
2006 AFCON third place playoff. We beat them 1-0.

That was the last time we beat them. The rest have mostly been draws. They've only beaten us twice since then too: a 2019 friendly and the recent CHAN tournament last year where our local eagles went to baff us spit.

I don't think our main squads have really faced off in a high stakes game since AFCON 2006. Exactly 20 years ago.

Goke7:
Oliseh Dey para 😂


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajbU11Xnq_s?si=W_sviG251a2gBqzC

Oliseh said the truth....
But he too was stubborn during his own playing time even head butting a fellow team mate at Bochum then.
Whatever Osimhen did, he copied from the legend

Afcon debutant, Salim Lawal Fago scored in NK Istra's 1-2 loss vs HNK Rijeka in the Croatian League. He started and played 58mins.

Israel Isaac Ayuma started all 90 for NK Istra.

Charles Agada played 7mins+ off the bench.

Goke7:
Oliseh Dey para 😂


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajbU11Xnq_s?si=W_sviG251a2gBqzC

Omo, Oliseh has finally put off all disguise and come out plain to say that the reason why we lost the semi was because Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit by publicly verbally abusing him.

Remember I sensed it in his last podcast where I stated that he praised Lookman and Akor lavishly but kept mute on Osimhen.

A public spat is what Oliseh has deviously recast as 'public verbal abuse' of Lookman by Osimhen. How na? Something that the whole world watched. How did Osimhen telling Lookman "it's a team game" amount to public verbal abuse. Oliseh has set down his own agenda where Osimhen is the abuser and Lookman is the victim. Is this not a crock of lies? This is something we all watched oo, yet see the spin Oliseh has put on it just to paint Osimhen as the villain.

Against Morocco, our attack line was blunt because the midfield couldn't get Its act together. He said Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit. It wasn't only Lookman who didn't play well. Even Osimhen himself and Akor did not play well. Did Osimhen break Akor's spirit too.

Truth is that even in the Algeria match, Oliseh had stated that Lookman did not play well because of the spat. So that was the foundation. He's building on it.

Oliseh does not like Osimhen. That much is clear. If he were the coach, he would have benched Osimhen against Algeria as punishment for the spat and we could possibly have been beaten by Algeria.

Oliseh cannot coach Nigeria oo. He'd create division and unhealthy atmosphere of rivalry.

Kudos to the nigerian players and other African teams players who managed to sacrifice their holidays especially the christmas and new year with their families to give the world a scintillating footballing event
thank you for making it possible to watch good football at the expense of spending some time with your families and loved ones
wishing you guys an injury free rest of the season as you resume back at your various clubs
God bless you all

mostob:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19v1akcH1U/

... Check this moment before the PK.

BTW, Mane is such a cool guy.

Without knowing the possibility of conniving, I can look at this and say fate just came out to play.

Yet it could be they whispered to one another "faire du bruit, pas vrais?" and played a script

Mujtahida:
Omo, Oliseh has finally put off all disguise and come out plain to say that the reason why we lost the semi was because Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit by publicly verbal abuse.

Remember I sensed it in his last podcast where I stated that he praised Lookman and Akor lavishly but kept mute on Osimhen.

A public spat is what Oliseh has deviously recast as 'public verbal abuse' of Lookman by Osimhen. How na? Something that whole world watched. How did Osimhen telling Lookman "it's a team game" amount to public verbal abuse. Oliseh has set down his own agenda where Osimhen is the abuser and Lookman is the victim. Is this not a crock of lies? This is something we all watched oo, yet see the spin Oliseh has put on it just to paint Osimhen as the villain.

Against Morocco, our attack line was blunt because the midfield couldn't get Its act together. He said Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit. It wasn't only Lookman who didn't play well. Even Osimhen himself and Akor did not play well. Did Osimhen broke Akor's spirit too.

Truth is that even in the Algeria match, Oliseh had stated that Lookman did not play well because of the spat. So that was the foundation. He's building on it.

Oliseh does not like Osimhen. That much is clear. If he were the coach, he would have benched Osimhen against Algeria as punishment for the spat and we could possibly have been beaten by Algeria.

Oliseh cannot coach Nigeria oo. He create division and unhealthy atmosphere of rivalry.

That’s why am not happy at times with the inconsistent performance of the current generation of players they are the ones that will keep making the likes of oliseh continue to run their mouth and use eloquence to deceive many.

Oliseh thinks he’s always right even when he speaks foolishly. Is it osihmen that made chuks and Bruno to miss their penalties? Did the eagles truly fail at this Afcon considering where we were before Afcon? His problem is no one has the right to question him because he feels he’s the best. Dude kind of arrogantly attributes the success of the 94 team to himself. If you listen to the video in detail you’ll see where he said Nigeria never won anything for years until he joined the national team in 1993. A team but for Yekini goals they won’t have won Afcon or qualify for the World Cup and immediately Yekini left what title did he and the rest of his teammates won at senior level? Phew. Unfortunately not many will be able to isolate issues properly from his current ranting.

Mujtahida:
Omo, Oliseh has finally put off all disguise and come out plain to say that the reason why we lost the semi was because Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit by publicly verbally abusing him.

Remember I sensed it in his last podcast where I stated that he praised Lookman and Akor lavishly but kept mute on Osimhen.

A public spat is what Oliseh has deviously recast as 'public verbal abuse' of Lookman by Osimhen. How na? Something that whole world watched. How did Osimhen telling Lookman "it's a team game" amount to public verbal abuse. Oliseh has set down his own agenda where Osimhen is the abuser and Lookman is the victim. Is this not a crock of lies? This is something we all watched oo, yet see the spin Oliseh has put on it just to paint Osimhen as the villain.

Against Morocco, our attack line was blunt because the midfield couldn't get Its act together. He said Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit. It wasn't only Lookman who didn't play well. Even Osimhen himself and Akor did not play well. Did Osimhen broke Akor's spirit too.

Truth is that even in the Algeria match, Oliseh had stated that Lookman did not play well because of the spat. So that was the foundation. He's building on it.

Oliseh does not like Osimhen. That much is clear. If he were the coach, he would have benched Osimhen against Algeria as punishment for the spat and we could possibly have been beaten by Algeria.

Oliseh cannot coach Nigeria oo. He create division and unhealthy atmosphere of rivalry.

Oliseh thought people have forgotten his own story. He did worst than Osimhen

Mujtahida:
Omo, Oliseh has finally put off all disguise and come out plain to say that the reason why we lost the semi was because Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit by publicly verbally abusing him.

Remember I sensed it in his last podcast where I stated that he praised Lookman and Akor lavishly but kept mute on Osimhen.

A public spat is what Oliseh has deviously recast as 'public verbal abuse' of Lookman by Osimhen. How na? Something that whole world watched. How did Osimhen telling Lookman "it's a team game" amount to public verbal abuse. Oliseh has set down his own agenda where Osimhen is the abuser and Lookman is the victim. Is this not a crock of lies? This is something we all watched oo, yet see the spin Oliseh has put on it just to paint Osimhen as the villain.

Against Morocco, our attack line was blunt because the midfield couldn't get Its act together. He said Osimhen broke Lookman's spirit. It wasn't only Lookman who didn't play well. Even Osimhen himself and Akor did not play well. Did Osimhen broke Akor's spirit too.

Truth is that even in the Algeria match, Oliseh had stated that Lookman did not play well because of the spat. So that was the foundation. He's building on it.

Oliseh does not like Osimhen. That much is clear. If he were the coach, he would have benched Osimhen against Algeria as punishment for the spat and we could possibly have been beaten by Algeria.

Oliseh cannot coach Nigeria oo. He create division and unhealthy atmosphere of rivalry.

Be like Lookman's spirit forgot it has broken when he sent that shot at Bono

Oliseh should go home to his wife abeg

Goke7:
Oliseh Dey para 😂


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajbU11Xnq_s?si=W_sviG251a2gBqzC

for the first time , he said some truth ... at least everyone is getting old and he knows that the best way to to help the team is to say it as its .but why Oliseh come dey make all these generation feel as if he a cool headed guy ? Oliseh head hot pass Osimhen. someone should prove me wrong

[quote author=Papi85 post=138207002]https://x.com/tissemch/status/2013592375088537630?s=46[/quote]😆 😂

lexyman:
for the first time , he said some truth ... at least everyone is getting old and he knows that the best way to to help the team is to say it as its .but why Oliseh come dey make all these generation feel as if he a cool headed guy ? Oliseh head hot pass Osimhen. someone should prove me wrong

No be you say e Dey talk truth? 😂

Goke7:
That’s why am not happy at times with the inconsistent performance of the current generation of players they are the ones that will keep making the likes of oliseh continue to run their mouth and use eloquence to deceive many.

Oliseh thinks he’s always right even when he speaks foolishly. Is it osihmen that made chuks and Bruno to miss their penalties? Did the eagles truly fail at this Afcon considering where we were before Afcon? His problem is no one has the right to question him because he feels he’s the best. Dude kind of arrogantly attributes the success of the 94 team to himself. If you listen to the video in detail you’ll see where he said Nigeria never won anything for years until he joined the national team in 1993. A team but for Yekini goals they won’t have won Afcon or qualify for the World Cup and immediately Yekini left what title did he and the rest of his teammates won at senior level? Phew. Unfortunately not many will be able to isolate issues properly from his current ranting.

Asides the calling out of those who witch-hunt him, the rest of the video is confident horse poo

Goke7:
No be you say e Dey talk truth? 😂

i cant disagree with all that he has said ....but i come dey wonder if the guy has ever been nice .... i can remember in those days , he made the news paper headlines for the wrong reason .

Odunayaw:
Asides the calling out of those who witch-hunt him, the rest of the video is confident horse poo

😂 he no Dey witch-hunt osihmen? If he has his way he go pursue am comot for turkey sef talk less of national team.

lexyman:
i cant disagree with all that he has said ....but i come dey wonder if the guy has ever been nice .... i can remember in those days , he made the news paper headlines for the wrong reason .

He has never done anything wrong as far as he’s concerned! Anyone who point out his faults he calls them names.