Former Super Eagles ace Tijani Babangida has issued a rallying cry to the national team, insisting that lifting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy is the only way to “restore national pride” following the calamitous failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The pressure gauge is rising on the Super Eagles. After a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign that left Nigerian fans reeling and the team facing intense scrutiny, former Ajax star Tijani Babangida believes the upcoming AFCON represents a critical chance for atonement.
Speaking exclusively to Tribal Football, the ex-winger described the World Cup miss as “very painful to digest.” However, he wasted no time shifting focus to the continental tournament.
“The next target is the AFCON tournament, which can be used to redeem the image of Nigerian football,” Babangida stated. “The Super Eagles must channel their disappointment… securing the continental title would help restore national pride and confidence.”
Babangida called for total unity from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the coaching staff, and the players to execute a focused plan to bring the coveted trophy home after a twelve-year drought.
While acknowledging the tournament’s difficulty—especially with several African powerhouses also World Cup-bound—Babangida remains bullish on the Super Eagles’ potential.
“The tournament will not be easy… but the Super Eagles may surprise the world and go all the way,” he said, adding a bold prediction: “I see Nigeria playing in the final, at least, and anything can happen in a cup final.”
The Super Eagles were finalists in the last AFCON, suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to host nation Côte d’Ivoire. The message from the former international is clear: anything less than the gold medal will not suffice.
