Post-AFCON: Super Eagles go back to their drawing board ahead of the World Cup qualifiers

With the curtain now drawn on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, attention turns to Nigeria’s future on the international stage, most notably the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. As the Super Eagles look to soar once again, several key issues need to be addressed.

The first is identifying the successor to legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, which has been a source of debate for some time. Second is strengthening the squad in key areas, such as defense and attack. Third is developing a winning mentality that can sustain success over the long term. Lastly, is the question of how best to harness the talents of the country’s young and promising players, ensuring they can reach their full potential on the world stage.

These are just some of the many challenges that await the Super Eagles as they embark on their journey towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup. With a positive and determined approach, these challenges can be overcome, and Nigeria can once again claim its place among the footballing elite.

According to Newsmen, speaking on the subject matter on Monday, Ochiba Football Club coach, Emmanuel Brown said the Super Eagles under Peseiro need to improve the midfield. Brown said that Peseiro must identify players capable of dictating play and maintaining possession in the midfield area.

His words: “I must confess that it [AFCON 2023] was a good outing for the Super Eagles. I never expected Nigeria to reach the final. One thing that is constant in life is change. The Super Eagles midfield has been the problem. The defence is OK; the attack is OK. I think the Super Eagles need to work on their midfield more. Talking about the goalkeeping department, the new goalkeeper [Stanley Nwabali] has done well for himself. But he was a bit of a disappointment in the AFCON final. But that is the game: you win some and lose some. Talking about moving forward, I think that the midfield needs to be completely overhauled. The Super Eagles handlers need to visit that midfield and make sure they do something about it”.