Former Nigerian international winger, Tijani Babangida, believes the Super Eagles can restore national pride. He insists that winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will help heal the pain of recent World Cup qualification disappointments.
Nigeria has faced significant setbacks in its quest for the FIFA World Cup. Missing the 2022 edition was a major blow. Furthermore, the ongoing struggles in the 2026 qualifiers have deeply upset supporters. Many fans had high hopes for the team’s return to the global stage.
Babangida acknowledged that the disappointment is still fresh. He emphasized the team must now shift its focus to continental glory. Speaking in an interview with Tribal Football, the ex-Ajax star confessed the World Cup outcomes were difficult to accept.
“It is still very painful to digest this reality,” Babangida stated. He specifically referred to “the unfortunate experience of missing the FIFA World Cup back-to-back.” This highlights the collective frustration felt by fans and players alike.
The former international added that an AFCON title in Morocco could significantly reshape Nigerian football’s image. It would also inspire renewed belief among fans ahead of future campaigns.
“However, the next target is the AFCON tournament,” Babangida affirmed. “It can be used to redeem the image of Nigerian football.”
Nigeria will be chasing a highly coveted fourth continental crown in Morocco. Expectations remain considerably high for the team. This follows their impressive performance as runners-up in the last edition of the tournament.
Babangida admitted the challenge ahead will be steep. Several strong teams are heading into the tournament with recent World Cup momentum. Even so, he remains convinced that the Super Eagles possess the necessary talent and resilience to go all the way.
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