Former Nigeria International star Sunday Mba has disclosed that he has been left unimpressed by the recent performances of the nation’s men’s team, the Super Eagles, www.aclsports.com reports.
The attacking midfielder, who was a breakout star at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, scored the winner against Burkina Faso in the final, as Nigeria won its third African title with Stephen Keshi at the helm of affairs.
In an interview with AY Sugar on YouTube, the former Warri Wolves star did not hold back his criticism of the Super Eagles and their underwhelming run to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers playoffs.
“I’m not impressed with the Super Eagles,” Mba began talking in the interview. We all know these things. If you are a true lover of football in Nigeria, you will not like what they are doing right now. We should forget sentiments, ot sugarcoat anything. We are number one in West Africa, now struggling to reach the playoffs. We should have won all our matches and qualified automatically.”
On whether the side can reach the Mundial in the Americas, Mba responded; ”I can not say yes, and I can not say no, but I believe we should take it step after step. After the first game [against Gabon], we will see. If we play like the last game against Benin, I’m 100% behind them. If we can have the same energy, the same spirit, and everything like that against Benin, nobody can stop us. If we fail to do it, it will be difficult to pick the ticket.”
With the 2025 AFCON in Morocco drawing near, Mba shared his thoughts, urging the Super Eagles to set their sights on winning the title once again—just as they did in 2013. The Super Eagles are in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“Everyone is scared of Nigeria. The players also know these things, but football has changed a bit. The players must know the importance of this task. We have been third (2019), second last year, so we should push for first now.”
In conclusion, Mba reflected on the previous CHAN squad, stressing that no single team should have contributed as many as one-third of the players.
“When we went for CHAN, we had players from different clubs, and we came together to compete and work hard. About this past CHAN, a particular club [Remo Stars] had nine players; there is no competition. Football isn’t run that way,” Mba said.
“Even if they have won before, there should be competition when you select players. Let everybody come together and compete. That alone will make everyone sit up, and that will push the boys. Bringing the majority of the players from a team made them relaxed,” the former Bastia midfielder concluded.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to battle Gabon in one of the semifinals of the continental World Cup playoffs. The victor will advance to face the winner of the Cameroon versus DR Congo clash, with Africa’s lone spot at the 2026 intercontinental playoffs in Mexico on the line.
