Nigeria’s Super Eagles currently lead Group D in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with 10 points from four matches, requiring just a draw in their remaining two games to secure a place in the tournament.
The Austin Eguavoen-led side are set to face neighbors, Benin Republic on October 14 in Abidjan, followed by a home match against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on October 18.
Following a ruling that awarded Nigeria three points and three goals for Libya’s misconduct on matchday four, the team’s qualification looks virtually assured.
This scenario opens a door for fringe players to gain experience and prove themselves in what’s more like dead rubber games.
Okoye's return and redemption
Maduka Okoye, who has been in commanding form for Udinese, last played for the Super Eagles in an official game at AFCON 2021 (held in 2022), where his error against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia saw Nigeria eliminated.
This incident drew significant backlash, with the Düsseldorf-born goalie facing heavy criticism and even death threats, which led him to step back temporarily from international duty.
Since his return to the national team setup in May 2024, Okoye has struggled to displace Nwabali, who earned the starting role during Okoye’s absence with an impressive 2024 AFCON campaign.
However, Okoye’s recent club form could make him a valuable option moving forward as Nigeria seeks more stability in goal.
Testing defensive depth with Osho
With William Troost-Ekong approaching the latter stages of his career at 31 and now playing in the Saudi Pro League, Nigeria have the opportunity to test new defensive options.
Gabriel Osho, currently with Ligue 1’s AJ Auxerre, is a strong candidate. Osho had been invited to the Super Eagles during his time at Luton Town but had to withdraw due to injury.
This window offers an ideal chance to see how the Reading Academy graduate fits into the Super Eagles lineup. If not tested now, waiting until March 2025 could prove risky, as Nigeria will be engaged in crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers by then.
Potential midfield experiment with Iwobi, Onyedika, and Dele-Bashiru
With qualification in the bag, there is a chance to try out new midfield configurations. The combination of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, and Alex Iwobi offers a blend of qualities—Onyedika’s defensive abilities, Iwobi’s passing range, and Dele-Bashiru’s ability to advance play and arrive late in the box.
According to insights from fans and analysts, these three could provide Nigeria with balanced control in possession, which would be beneficial as the team looks to refine its tactics.
Adjusting the Super Eagles attack with a new formation
Victor Boniface has faced challenges as a lone striker but might find better success paired with Victor Osimhen in a 4-4-2 diamond setup. Austin Eguavoen could experiment with this configuration to see how Boniface’s physical presence complements Osimhen’s finishing abilities.
This tactical shift would allow the Super Eagles to explore a more dynamic attacking approach as they prepare for the high-stakes matches beyond the AFCON qualifiers.
In all, this qualification window holds a rare calm, a chance to experiment in a low-stakes setting before the intensity of March’s World Cup qualifiers. If Eguavoen dares to adjust his strategy and grant players substantial minutes, not the usual five or ten, but a full half-hour or more, it could be the difference between mere potential and meaningful impact.
