AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s participation in the African Nations Championship in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya has sadly come to an end.
The CHAN Eagles exited the tournament with a win over Congo, nonetheless, but couldn’t progress to the last eight of the competition after the losses to Senegal and Sudan.
Interestingly, neither Sudan nor Senegal picked up maximum points against the Congolese, but the win is just for the record as they head back to Nigeria.
The performance of the CHAN Eagles has divided opinions among Nigerian football fans online, as some blame the poor state of the football league system in Nigeria.
Others knock the team selection of the coach Eric Chelle and his tactical approach in the opening two matches, especially.
A section of fans believe he shouldn’t have taken charge of the team; instead, Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu should have been allowed to finish what they started.
Below are three major takeaways from CHAN Eagles’ participation at the 2024 African Nations Championship.
3 things learned from Home-based Super Eagles at CHAN
1. Vote of no confidence on Eric Chelle
Regardless of the win against Congo, Nigerians have passed a vote of no confidence in Eric Chelle heading into the crucial World Cup qualifiers next month against Rwanda and South Africa.
His performance at the tournament raises doubts about his capacity to win both games.
Needless to say, the Super Eagles are in a difficult position already going into both matches.
2. Poor financial incentives in the NPFL
The Nigeria Premier Football League doesn’t have the financial muscle to retain its best talents such that they would be available for continental tournaments like CHAN, CAF Champions League, and CAF Confederation Cup.
Players like Jide Fatokun, Papa Daniel, and Saviour Isaac left their respective club sides for “greener pastures” before the CHAN tournament.
This is an indication that Nigeria can not afford to present some of its best players for major continental tournaments, as most jump on the “once in a lifetime opportunity” train of earning in foreign currencies, which comes as a monumental increase in salary and allowances.
3. Foreign pros v Local pros debate continues
The outcome of the team’s performance means the debate of whether or not players playing in the Nigeria Premier Football League are good enough to play in the main Super Eagles team will continue.
There have been endless calls for the inclusion of home-based players in the first team. The argument is that some foreign professionals make it to the first team even though they don’t get regular playing time in their clubs abroad.
However, with the early ouster of the team and the immense pressure on Chelle to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup, it would come as no surprise if none of them make it to the first team in the meantime.
