Former Super Eagles midfielder Sani Kaita has challenged Nigeria’s senior national team to use the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as motivation as they begin their quest for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles are preparing to open their qualifying campaign later this month, with Nigeria drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania.
With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the tournament, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will effectively be battling for the group’s remaining qualification ticket.
Kaita believes the painful World Cup setback should serve as an important reminder for the players rather than something that weighs them down.
According to the former midfielder, Nigeria have enough quality to not only secure qualification for the AFCON but also challenge for the continental title when the tournament is staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
“As Nigerians, we expect the Super Eagles to show their strength and qualify for the AFCON. We have the quality to do it, and we should use the disappointment of missing the World Cup as motivation.”
The former international’s comments come at an important moment for the Super Eagles, who will begin a new competitive cycle under Eric Chelle with the immediate objective of securing their place at the 2027 continental championship.
Nigeria’s opening assignment will be against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, before the Eagles travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. CAF’s confirmed schedule gives Chelle’s side little time between the two fixtures, making a strong start particularly important.
Kaita’s optimism is also rooted in the quality available to the national team. Nigeria continue to possess established stars and emerging talents across Europe, while the current coaching setup has been monitoring players capable of strengthening the squad ahead of the qualifiers.
The former midfielder, who represented Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, knows from experience the demands of international football. His playing career included appearances at the 2006 and 2010 AFCON tournaments, as well as the 2010 World Cup.
Interestingly, Kaita is also pursuing a new chapter in football development. The former Super Eagles midfielder has obtained a UEFA B coaching licence and previously applied for the vacant Golden Eaglets head-coach position, expressing his desire to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s next generation.
That growing interest in coaching and youth development adds another dimension to Kaita’s call for the Super Eagles to respond strongly on the international stage.
For Nigeria, the equation is now straightforward: the World Cup disappointment cannot be reversed, but the team can decide what comes next.
And Kaita believes the answer should be qualification, ambition and a serious push for continental supremacy.
“It is not only about qualifying. Nigeria has the quality to compete for the AFCON title, and that should be the target.”
The road to AFCON 2027 begins in Uyo.
For the Super Eagles, it is an opportunity to turn the pain of yesterday into the hunger for tomorrow.
