Nigeria: Augustine Eguavoen urges Super Eagles to target AFCON glory amid World Cup setback

Nigeria’s technical director Augustine Eguavoen has challenged the Super Eagles to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, insisting that triumph at the continental showpiece is essential to restoring national pride.

With Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging by a thread, the former Super Eagles captain and coach believes the team must quickly shift their focus to the Nations Cup, which begins in December.

The World Cup ticket 2026 is slipping out of our hands, but the 2025 Nations Cup is round the corner, Eguavoen told Sports247. So, I think we have to just prepare and try to see how we can win it, so that we can restore our pride.

Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the World Cup has been underwhelming.

The Super Eagles currently sit third in their group, six points adrift of leaders South Africa.

Even with the possibility of FIFA docking South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho, Eguavoen admitted the chances remain slim.

Even if South Africa are deducted three points, they will still be three points ahead of Nigeria and just need to win their remaining two matches in order to pick the group’s lone ticket, he noted.

The situation is further complicated by Benin Republic, who could also move level with South Africa should the deduction be enforced.

Their final group fixture is away to Nigeria, setting up what could be a decisive and high-stakes clash.

Despite the uncertainty, Eguavoen—popularly known as Cerezo during his playing days—appears resigned to missing out on the World Cup.

Instead, he has called for total commitment to the AFCON, where he believes victory could repair the dented confidence of both players and fans.

For a nation with Nigeria’s footballing pedigree, missing consecutive World Cups would be a major setback.

However, Eguavoen stressed that success in Morocco could serve as a powerful reminder of the team’s strength.

The AFCON is scheduled to kick off in December 2025 and run until January 2026.

With the clock ticking, the pressure is mounting on the Super Eagles to regroup and deliver a performance worthy of their history.

For Eguavoen, the mission is simple: if World Cup qualification is out of reach, the Nations Cup must be won to reclaim Nigeria’s standing as a continental powerhouse.