Honestly, if you follow African football, you know the vibe is never just about a game. It’s a whole mood. The Nigeria national soccer team, better known globally as the Super Eagles, just wrapped up a rollercoaster run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that left fans feeling both incredibly proud and totally gutted. It’s January 2026, and we are still processing that semi-final against Morocco.
Zero-zero after 120 minutes. Then, the dreaded penalties.
Losing 4-2 in a shootout is a specific kind of pain. It’s the kind of loss that makes you want to throw your remote at the TV but also makes you realize how high the ceiling is for this group of players. Under coach Éric Chelle, who took the reins about a year ago, the team has found a weird, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic rhythm.
The Current State of the Super Eagles
Nigeria’s performance in Rabat showed the world that the "Osimhen-dependency" is real, but also that the defensive line is finally hardening. They didn't concede a single goal in the quarter-final against Algeria or the semi-final against Morocco. That’s huge. In the past, the Nigeria national soccer team was known for scoring three and conceding two. Now? They’re becoming a unit that’s actually hard to break down.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the World Cup.
While the AFCON run was impressive—perfect group stage, wins over Tunisia and Algeria—the 2026 World Cup qualification path has been a nightmare. Fans are still reeling from those early 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. It basically put the team in a hole they’ve been digging out of for months.
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The Éric Chelle Era: A New Direction?
When Éric Chelle was appointed in January 2025, people weren't sure what to expect. He’s a former Mali international who knows the African terrain better than most European imports. He’s managed 13 matches so far.
- 8 wins
- 3 draws
- 2 losses
That’s a solid record on paper. But in Nigeria, a "solid record" isn't enough. You have 230 million people who think they can do the job better than you. Chelle has been smart, though. He’s created a "bubble" around the team, even staying off social media to avoid the inevitable "230 million coaches" weighing in on his every move.
The Victor Osimhen Factor
You can’t talk about the Nigeria national soccer team without mentioning Victor Osimhen. The man is a force of nature. During the AFCON 2025 tournament, he was arguably the most feared striker on the continent, even if the Moroccan defense eventually managed to cage him in the semis.
Osimhen finished the tournament with 4 goals, trailing only Morocco’s Brahim Díaz. But it’s not just the goals; it’s the drama. In the Round of 16 against Mozambique, he literally stopped running and asked to be subbed off because he was mad at a teammate for not passing the ball.
Is he a diva? Maybe. Is he the best striker Nigeria has had since Rashidi Yekini? Absolutely.
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He’s currently sitting at 35 international goals. He’s only two away from tying Yekini’s all-time record of 37. Given his strike rate, he’ll likely own that record by the end of 2026.
The Supporting Cast
While Victor gets the headlines, the 2025-2026 season has seen other stars emerge:
- Ademola Lookman: The Atalanta man is no longer a "prospect." He’s a world-class playmaker who carries the creative burden when Osimhen is marked out of the game.
- Stanley Nwabali: Remember when Nigeria struggled to find a reliable keeper? Nwabali has locked that spot down. His performances in Morocco were the only reason the semi-final even made it to penalties.
- Calvin Bassey: He has become the heartbeat of the defense. Whether he's at Fulham or playing for the Super Eagles, his physicality is just unmatched right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Nigerian Football
There is a common misconception that Nigeria’s struggles are solely about coaching or talent. They aren't. It’s often the logistics. Whether it’s travel delays, bonus disputes, or pitch quality at home stadiums, the "off-pitch" drama usually dictates the on-pitch performance.
Under the current NFF leadership, things have stabilized slightly, but the pressure is at an all-time high. Missing out on the 2022 World Cup was a disaster. Failing to secure an automatic spot for 2026 has been equally stressful.
The Super Eagles are currently fighting through the CAF playoffs to keep their 2026 World Cup dreams alive. It's a high-wire act. They are the top-ranked team in the playoff bracket, but as we saw against Rwanda and Benin earlier in the cycle, rankings don't mean much when you're playing on a Tuesday afternoon in a hostile away environment.
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Tactical Shifts and the Midfield Gap
Tactically, Nigeria has moved away from the rigid 4-4-2 of the past. Chelle prefers a more fluid system that allows Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi to control the tempo.
The problem? The transition from defense to attack.
Sometimes the midfield feels like a hollow shell. They pass side-to-side, waiting for a moment of magic from Lookman or a burst of speed from Samuel Chukwueze. When it works, it’s beautiful. When it doesn't, it looks like eleven strangers who just met in the parking lot.
To bridge this gap, Chelle has been integrating younger talents like Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Raphael Onyedika. These kids have "engines." They run. They press. They actually track back, which is something the veteran stars sometimes... forget to do.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
The semi-final loss to Morocco isn't the end; it's a benchmark. Nigeria finished the 2025 AFCON as one of the most disciplined teams, which is a huge step forward.
If you want to follow the Nigeria national soccer team's progress through the rest of 2026, keep your eyes on the World Cup playoff fixtures. That is where the legacy of this "Golden-ish" generation will be decided.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Goals: Keep a tally on Osimhen. He is 3 goals away from becoming the greatest Nigerian scorer of all time. Every match he plays now is history in the making.
- Monitor the Defense: The Bassey-Ajayi partnership is the most stable Nigeria has had in a decade. If one gets injured, the system tends to collapse.
- Expect the Unexpected: Nigerian football is never linear. They will beat a giant like Algeria and then struggle against a minnow. Don't bet your house on a "sure thing" with the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria national soccer team remains the most charismatic, frustrating, and talented ensemble in African football. They might have missed out on the AFCON trophy this week, but the foundation for a deep World Cup run—if they can just get through the playoffs—is finally there.