By OLUKAYODE BABALOLA

Some football enthusiasts in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa have urged the Super Eagles team to do everything possible to win the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Keffi.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s hopes of automatic progress to the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada was slim after the Super Eagles 1-1 away draw against Group C leaders, South Africa, recently.

NAN reports that the AFCON tournament was scheduled to hold in Morocco by December 2025.

Auwalu Mohammed, a football enthusiast, said the chances of qualifying for the World Cup had become nearly impossible with the draw against Group C table-toppers South Africa.

Mohammed said that it would be hard to topple South Africa given their current form and the number of matches left to play in the qualifying round.

He added that the current situation necessitated him to refocus his attention on the upcoming AFCON, where he said Nigeria had a chance of winning.

“I just don’t see us qualifying for this World Cup tournament anymore. But I see us going far in the AFCON tournament if we prepare early.

“That is why I am more interested in AFCON than the World Cup. So, I am calling on the Super Eagles to do everything possible to win the upcoming AFCON tournament,” he said.

Another football lover, Benjamin Nwankwo, urged Nigerians to stop their unnecessary social media permutations that Nigeria could still top South Africa and qualify with the automatic slot of the group.

“Let’s be fair to ourselves. Nigeria qualifying will be a major miracle.

“Even if FIFA deducts three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, they are still above us with three points and superior goal difference.

“Don’t forget Benin Republic is also above us with three points and better goal difference.

“Are we saying both countries will lose their remaining two games? It won’t happen. One of them will qualify above us,” he said.

Nwankwo advised Super Eagles to turn their attention to the AFCON tournament and win it as a consolation to Nigerians for not making it to the World Cup tournament.

On his part, Isa Nasiru, told NAN that the performances of Nigeria at the World Cup qualifiers had been underwhelming, hence the need for the current Super Eagles squad to win the AFCON tournament..

“They have to win the AFCON to recover the confidence and trust they lost from the Nigerian public due to their poor outings at the World Cup qualifiers.

” If they don’t qualify, which is most likely, they will have more time to focus their energy and strategy on the AFCON.

“So, I don’t see why they should not come home with the trophy. They got to the final the last time. They should win it this time,” he said. (NAN)