Former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh has described Nigeria’s national football team as playing the best football in 20 years, citing the team’s recent performances in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as evidence of tactical improvement and cohesion, sports analysts and media reports state.
Oliseh made the comments in an interview that circulated on social media platform X on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, as the Super Eagles prepared for a crucial AFCON 2025 semi-final clash with hosts Morocco in Rabat.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next games… But the way these Super Eagles have played the last three games is the best I have seen Super Eagles play in 20 years. In 20 years, since 2006,” Oliseh said, underscoring a notable shift in the team’s performance.
Oliseh noted that while earlier matches against Tunisia and Tanzania were not exceptional in his view, the team’s display in recent games — including victories over Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria — demonstrated tactical dominance, pressing from defence through midfield, and effective ball management.
He pointed to the contributions of midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Jude Onyeka, as well as the leadership of Alex Iwobi, saying the team’s coordinated play has forced opponents into defensive roles throughout recent contests.
“Nigeria now forces the opposition to play defensive non-stop,” Oliseh said, praising the orchestration of play in key areas of the pitch.
The comments follow Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria on Saturday, January 10, 2026, a result that secured the team’s progression to the penultimate stage of the continental tournament and triggered widespread acclaim among fans and commentators alike.
In a separate post on X after the Algeria win, Oliseh remarked: “Our Super Eagles are looking like AFCON Champions from every angle! Defence, ball possession and match management. What a dominant display. Just love the attitude.”
The Super Eagles’ run in AFCON 2025 has drawn national attention, with supporters hopeful that the team can sustain its form against Morocco as it seeks to secure a place in the tournament final.
Analysts say the team’s blend of tactical discipline, player depth and strategic execution marks a notable evolution compared with previous Nigerian sides over the past two decades.
Nigeria’s performance at AFCON 2025 also carries broader significance for national football morale and international perception, reinforcing confidence in the squad’s capabilities ahead of other major competitions, including World Cup qualifying fixtures later in the year.
The Super Eagles face Morocco in the AFCON 2025 semi-final on Wednesday in Rabat, with anticipation building among fans across Nigeria.
