AFCON 2025: Bonfrere blames NFF, says Super Eagles need better coaching to win in Morocco

Former Nigeria head coach Jo Bonfrere has stated that the Super Eagles possess enough quality to conquer Africa but lack the level of coaching required to realistically challenge for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking exclusively to Complete Sports from his home in the Netherlands, the Dutch tactician openly criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), blaming poor leadership and coaching appointments for the national team’s recent struggles, including their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

It’s the fault of the Federation,” Bonfrere said. “When you look for a coach, you look for quality and experience. That is why the Super Eagles will not go to the World Cup. The Federation caused it by hiring the wrong coach.”

Bonfrere, who guided Nigeria’s U23 Dream Team to historic Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996, expressed disbelief at the decision to appoint a coach from Mali, questioning the rationale behind it.

“I don’t hate Mali. I don’t look down on them as a nation,” he explained. “But football-wise, where is Mali? I remember when a Nigerian, the late Stephen Keshi, was coaching Mali. Now Nigeria goes down to hire a coach from Mali.”

Despite his criticism of the federation, the 79-year-old was emphatic that Nigeria remains blessed with elite talent capable of dominating the continent.

“Look, the Super Eagles are good,” Bonfrere insisted. “They have the best players in Africa and some of the best in Europe, but they need better coaching to win the AFCON.”

Bonfrere also lamented the consequences of administrative failures on the players, singling out the absence of Victor Osimhen from the World Cup as a major loss to global football.

“Now Victor Osimhen will not go to the World Cup. That is too bad,” he said. “The world always looked forward to seeing Nigeria at the World Cup.

”With AFCON 2025 scheduled to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, Bonfrere stressed that Nigeria’s chances will depend largely on leadership from the technical bench.