Former Nigeria international Samuel Elijah has cautioned that the Super Eagles are yet to fully convince at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite cruising through the group stage with a flawless record.
Nigeria topped Group C with maximum points after edging Tanzania 2–1, outscoring Tunisia 3–2, and closing with a 3–1 win over Uganda in Morocco. On paper, it has been a near-perfect start. On the pitch, Elijah believes the performances tell a more complex story.
Read Also: Super Eagles Face Mozambique in First AFCON Knockout Test
the former attacker praised the results but questioned the team’s overall cohesion. “The team did well by winning all their games and qualifying for the round of 16. However, I have reservations about the quality of football they have played,” he said.
Elijah pointed to a lack of collective rhythm as a key factor behind Victor Osimhen’s modest goal return so far in the tournament. According to him, the problem goes beyond individual form and lies in how the team functions in the final third.
“I think they have not played well as a team, and this is one of the reasons a striker like Victor Osimhen is struggling to score many goals,” Elijah added.
Midfield balance was another area of concern. Elijah challenged Alex Iwobi to exert greater influence while calling for increased involvement for Raphael Onyedika, who impressed with two goals against Uganda. He believes a more effective partnership between Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Onyedika could unlock Nigeria’s attacking potential.
The former international also touched on goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, admitting the shot-stopper has not been at his sharpest but insisting he deserves to remain first choice. Elijah urged him to stay focused to avoid costly errors as the tournament intensifies.
Looking ahead to Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, Elijah warned against complacency. He stressed that African football has evolved and that underestimating opponents is no longer an option, even while backing the Super Eagles to progress.
As Nigeria enter the knockout phase, Elijah’s assessment serves as both a reality check and a timely reminder: winning is important, but sharper performances will be required if the Super Eagles are to go all the way in Morocco.
