Former Super Eagles captain and an undisputed Nigerian football icon, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has issued a powerful and crucial warning to the current Super Eagles squad as they intensify preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco this coming December.
Speaking candidly, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers midfield maestro pinpointed what he believes is the national team’s most significant and enduring vulnerability: a profound lack of consistency, particularly when the stakes—and the pressure—are at their highest.
Okocha stressed that the Super Eagles, under the management of coach Eric Chelle, often display breathtaking moments of individual skill and collective attacking brilliance. However, these “flashes of genius” frequently fail to translate into sustained, top-tier performance across an entire tournament run.
”The talent is undeniable. Nigeria possesses players competing at the very elite level of European football—in the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga,” Okocha stated. “But talent alone does not win AFCON titles. What we often see is an inability to maintain the same energy, the same tactical discipline, and the same intensity across different group and knockout matches. This habit, this rollercoaster approach, is absolutely non-negotiable and could prove catastrophically costly at a major tournament.”
The legendary playmaker drew a direct line from the team’s historical struggles to their recent performance in the World Cup qualifiers. While the qualification journey was ultimately successful, it was marked by unnecessary turbulence and dropped points against less-fancied opposition.
”Nigeria’s run in the World Cup qualifiers was, let’s be honest, a rollercoaster ride. While we failed to qualify, any true supporter would have yearned to see the Super Eagles qualify with a display of dominance and ease,” Okocha remarked. “Football is never simple, but the fundamental thing this team must fix, before they step onto the pitch in Morocco, is consistency.
They need to cultivate a winning mentality that means delivering a top-level performance in every single game, regardless of the opponent or the conditions, this transcends mere technical ability; it focuses on the psychological and tactical fortitude required of continental champions. He urged the players to adopt a stricter professional regimen for the entire duration of the competition.
”The players must stay disciplined, stay focused, and eliminate the lapses that allow opponents to gain a foothold,” he insisted. “You cannot afford a ‘day off’ at AFCON. The difference between lifting the trophy and an early exit often comes down to one moment of instability in a group stage match you were expected to win comfortably.”
The Super Eagles boast an attack-minded roster, but Okocha highlighted that a steady rhythm is the essential element currently missing. Without it, he cautioned, the immense individual quality of the squad risks being undermined, leading to yet another frustrating near-miss on the big stage.
The 2025 AFCON promises to be a highly challenging campaign, with established powerhouses and rising African teams all vying for the title. Every fixture, from the opening whistle to the final match, will demand not only quality from Nigeria’s stars but also the unwavering stability that has often eluded them.
Ultimately, Okocha’s message serves as a call to action for Eric Chelle and his squad: The talent is there, the support is passionate, but the responsibility rests on the team to prove they can be champions by finally overcoming their greatest internal rival—the lack of consistent, focused performance.
