It’s been a crazy week for Nigerian football. If you were hoping to see the Super Eagles lifting the AFCON trophy this weekend, I’ve got some tough news. We’re out. Well, out of the final, at least.
Honestly, the mood in Lagos and Abuja right now is a weird mix of "what if" and genuine pride. Nigeria just crashed out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (yes, it’s being played in early 2026) in the most heartbreaking way possible—a penalty shootout defeat to the hosts, Morocco.
It hurts. But if you look at the latest Nigeria soccer news, there’s actually a lot more going on than just that one loss. From Victor Osimhen’s massive transfer rumors to the Super Falcons' fresh draw for WAFCON 2026, the Naija football scene is moving fast.
The AFCON Heartbreak: 120 Minutes of Stress
Let's talk about that semi-final against Morocco. It was a tactical chess match that basically turned into a war of attrition.
Eric Chelle, our Franco-Malian coach, set the team up beautifully. We were disciplined. We were structured. But Morocco’s home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was something else. It was loud, hostile, and honestly, a bit intimidating.
After 120 minutes of 0-0 football, it went to the lottery of penalties. We lost 4-2.
Why did we lose? * Tactical Neutralization: Morocco managed to completely shut down our front three. Lookman and Osimhen barely had a sniff of the ball in the danger zone.
- The Penalty Curse: This is becoming a thing. We lost to DR Congo on penalties in the World Cup qualifiers back in November, and now this.
- Clinical Finishing: Or lack thereof. We had chances to kill the game in regulation time, but we just couldn't find that final touch.
So, what’s next for the Super Eagles? They’ve moved to Casablanca to prepare for the third-place playoff against Egypt this Saturday. It’s not the gold medal we wanted, but winning bronze against the Pharaohs is still a big deal for our continental ranking.
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Is Eric Chelle Staying or Going?
The big question on everyone's lips: Is Chelle the right man?
He’s only been in the job for a year, and his stats are actually pretty impressive. He’s managed 17 games, won 12, and only "lost" those two penalty shootouts. The man hasn't actually been beaten in open play.
Chelle himself says he wants to stay. He told The PUNCH just hours ago that he’s proud of the boys and believes Nigeria was the best team in the tournament.
But here's the kicker—Tunisia is reportedly lurking. Word is they are ready to offer him $100,000 a month to jump ship. The NFF needs to move fast if they want to keep him for the long haul, especially since he’s restored a sense of identity that was missing under previous managers.
The Victor Osimhen Transfer Saga: Manchester Bound?
While the national team is busy in Morocco, the club football world is losing its mind over Victor Osimhen.
He’s currently at Galatasaray, and he’s been absolutely flying—12 goals in 16 games this season. But the Turkish giants apparently put a €140 million price tag on his head. That hasn't stopped the Premier League vultures from circling.
Rio Ferdinand dropped a bit of a bombshell on his podcast, saying Osimhen would "100%" join Manchester United if they made a move this January. Meanwhile, John Obi Mikel is still on his "Osimhen to Chelsea" crusade, calling him the "perfect option" for the Blues.
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Think about it. United are desperate for a real No. 9. Chelsea are still trying to find a consistent goalscorer. It’s a classic transfer tug-of-war.
NPFL Update: Rivers United Sitting Pretty
Away from the glitz of AFCON, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) restarted its second stanza this week.
If you haven't been following, Rivers United are the team to beat. They held Rangers International to a 0-0 draw in Enugu, which was enough to keep their four-point lead at the top of the table.
Matchday 20 Quick Hits:
- Shooting Stars 3-0 Enyimba: A massive shock in Ibadan. The People’s Elephant got absolutely dismantled.
- Abia Warriors 1-1 Plateau United: A frustrating draw for the Warriors who missed a chance to close the gap on the leaders.
- Remo Stars 1-0 Ikorodu City: A tight Southwest derby that keeps Remo in the hunt.
The league is looking tighter than ever. With 38 points, Rivers United have a target on their backs, and Abia Warriors (34 points) are breathing down their necks.
Super Falcons: The Road to WAFCON 2026
We can't talk about Nigeria soccer news without mentioning the queens.
The draw for WAFCON 2026 just happened in Rabat. The Super Falcons are the defending champions (having won their 10th title recently), and they've been placed in Group C.
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It’s a "tricky" group, as the local papers are calling it. We’ve got:
- Zambia: Our new big rivals. They’ve got pace for days.
- Egypt: Improving rapidly and very disciplined defensively.
- Malawi: The debutants who have nothing to lose.
The tournament kicks off on March 17th in Morocco. This one is huge because the four semi-finalists get automatic tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Asisat Oshoala has already been vocal, basically telling the NFF that we need to start hosting these things instead of always going to Morocco, but for now, the Falcons have to do their business on the road.
The Lookman Factor: 2024’s Best is Still Cooking
Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria's "creative engine" this AFCON.
Before the Morocco loss, he had three goals and four assists in the tournament. He’s essentially been the guy making things happen while everyone focuses on Osimhen.
Interestingly, there are rumors he might join Osimhen at Galatasaray this month. Imagine those two playing together every week in Istanbul. It would be a nightmare for Turkish defenders.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the latest developments, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next 48 hours:
- Watch the Bronze Match: Nigeria vs Egypt, Saturday at 5:00 PM CET. It’s about pride and FIFA ranking points.
- The Transfer Window: Expect the Osimhen rumors to hit fever pitch as we approach the final week of January. If a Premier League club clears space, things will move fast.
- NPFL Matchday 21: Keep an eye on Rivers United vs Remo Stars this Sunday. It could decide if the title race stays open or if Rivers starts to pull away.
- Super Falcons Prep: Follow the friendly match announcements. The team needs high-level competition before they head back to Morocco in March.
Nigerian football is in a weird spot. We’re suffering from "near-miss" syndrome at the senior level, but the talent pool has never been deeper. Whether it's Lookman’s magic, Osimhen’s future, or the local league's growth, there’s plenty to be optimistic about despite the AFCON heartbreak.
Go out and support the local teams this weekend. Whether it's at the Lekan Salami Stadium or watching the Super Eagles' final AFCON outing on TV, the "Naija spirit" doesn't stop just because of a few missed penalties.