Former Nigeria international, Garba Chindo Lawal has revealed he still believes the Super Eagles still have a strong shot at redemption at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations if they are willing to confront and fix the mistakes that plagued them during their World Cup qualifying campaign. Lawal said that while the current national team disappointed many fans, particularly during the 2026 World Cup play-offs, there is still time for coach Eric Chelle and his squad to recalibrate.
Lawal argued that to win AFCON, the players must conduct a harsh self-assessment, analyzing what went wrong in their most recent matches. He insisted that their best was not good enough during the qualifiers but added that they can improve and overcome those shortcomings if they return to the “drawing board” with humility.
He suggested that Chelle needs to decide whether to rely on the existing core or bring in fresh blood, but above all, that he has to push the team to be more consistent and focused. According to Lawal, confidence without discipline and self‑awareness can be dangerous when going up against Africa’s top national teams.
