Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has urged the Nigeria Football Federation to quickly set a new course for the national team by beginning early preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Naija News reports that Nigeria’s latest World Cup campaign came to a painful end after a 4-3 penalty loss to DR Congo in the African play-offs. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, closing the door on what would have been a return to the global stage after missing Qatar 2022.
Speaking with Footy-Africa, Shorunmu encouraged the NFF to shift attention to the challenges ahead and begin rebuilding the team without delay.
“I hope the NFF will think ahead of time and come up with a solid plan for the team, starting with the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. “What has happened is gone now, and we have to start thinking of the way forward for Nigerian football.”
He stressed that time is no longer a luxury for the Super Eagles, pointing out that the tournament is not far away. Shorunmu believes Nigerian fans are expecting a strong response after the disappointment and insists the squad must rise to the moment.
“The AFCON is just around the corner, and we must start preparations early and get everything right. I am sure the players understand how Nigerians feel now and will want to make amends at the Nations Cup,” he said.
Shorunmu, who was the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 World Cup, said the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was felt across the country. He added that the players and supporters shared the same frustration, especially with the quality of preparation leading to the defeat.
He explained that too many things were not handled properly in the build-up to the clash, noting that “in terms of preparation, it was a little bit sloppy,” and urging the federation to treat early planning as a priority for future major competitions.
Note that the Super Eagles will begin their 2025 AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23. They will face Tunisia on December 27 and close the group against Uganda on December 30 as they chase a fourth continental title.
Leave a Reply