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Forgotten Super Eagles star tips the current crop on how to achieve success at the AFCON.

Nigerian defender Leon Balogun named what is required from the Super Eagles to become triumphant at the AFCON tournament later in the year. 

The 36-year-old was a mainstay in the national team, registering 46 caps. He was the starting centre-back at the 2018 World Cup along with Troost Ekong; however, unlike the Al Kholood defender, he has yet to find his way back to the national team. 

Eric Chelle faces an enormous task as he takes charge of the Super Eagles, and the scale of the challenge ahead cannot be overstated. With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resuming in March, we have identified key issues he must fix if Nigeria are to revive their faltering campaign.

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Still, he keeps abreast with the team. Lately, he discussed Nigeria’s chances to go one step further at the next AFCON, after clinching the silver medal in the last tournament. 

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What Balogun said 

While the most pressing agenda for the Super Eagles is the World Cup qualifiers slated for March, the AFCON is on the horizon, and with the group stage draws done, preparations and speculations have begun. 

Quizzed about Nigeria’s prospects for the competition in Morocco, Balogun said, “The AFCON, well, it’s a tournament. You want to win. Every team that comes there comes there with ambition.”

“So, yes, you have to take it for what it is. If they want to be the champions of Africa, (Nigeria) probably have a point to prove after the last AFCON.

“This clear plan will certainly also be necessary for the World Cup qualifiers because we are in a precarious situation where we cannot afford to lose points. Therefore, maximum concentration and the highest level of performance are required.”