Former Super Eagles coach James Peters has sounded a loud warning ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, insisting that the team must immediately begin detailed preparation if they hope to avoid another continental heartbreak.
Peters — fondly known as JP — stressed that AFCON is a battlefield where only well-prepared teams survive. Despite Nigeria reaching the final in the last edition, he reminded everyone that it was a tournament filled with tense, unforgiving moments.
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“AFCON is never easy. Last time was tough, and this one will be even tougher. We must prepare early,” he said.
JP emphasised that Nigeria should already be studying their group-stage opponents, analysing their strengths, weaknesses, key players and tactical identities. According to him, waiting until camp opens will be a costly mistake.
“Now is the time to understand how every opponent plays — their patterns, their danger men, everything. You don’t prepare in January; you prepare now,” he stated firmly.
Nigeria’s group is competitive, with no so-called “easy opponent,” a phrase Peters warned against entirely.
“It will be risky — very risky — to underrate any of the teams. Those days are gone. Every team in Africa is ready now,” he added.
The veteran tactician said that even though Nigeria had a strong run in the previous AFCON, nothing is guaranteed. He urged the technical crew to start identifying the best legs, evaluating form, fitness, and cohesion early enough to build a strong and balanced squad.
“This is not the time for experiments. The team must pick the right players based on form, not names,” he stressed.
Peters called for tactical clarity, psychological readiness, and a deep understanding of opponents’ strategies. According to him, proper preparation will determine how far the Super Eagles go.
His final message was a sharp reminder:
“AFCON doesn’t respect big names. It respects preparation. If we prepare well, Nigeria will go far. If not — we will struggle.”
