Former Nigeria international Sani Kaita has called on the Super Eagles to turn the frustration of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup into momentum by reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and challenging for the title.
Nigeria’s AFCON qualification challenge
- Nigeria will begin their next major campaign later this month, with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania in their qualifying group for the continental tournament.
- The Super Eagles will host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, then travel to play Guinea-Bissau four days later.
- Kaita believes Nigeria’s players must move beyond the World Cup disappointment and use it to fuel their performances in the AFCON qualifiers.
“Nigerians expect the Super Eagles to demonstrate their strength and reach the AFCON,” Kaita said. “The team has enough quality to achieve that, and the failure to qualify for the World Cup should provide extra motivation.”
Kaita featured for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup and appeared at the 2006 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. In his view, securing a place at the 2027 finals should not be the limit of the team’s ambition.
“Qualification alone cannot be the final objective. Nigeria has the ability to compete for the AFCON trophy, and winning it should be the target,” he added.
The former midfielder has since entered coaching and holds a UEFA B licence.
The opening fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau give the Super Eagles an early chance to show that the setback of missing the World Cup has been replaced by a determination to reclaim their position among Africa’s leading football nations.
