Why Nigerians were right to call out Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze

Nigerians are right to call out Samuel Chukwueze and demand more consistency from the Super Eagles star winger, especially with AFCON 2025 approaching.

Chukwueze’s stunning 26-minute cameo against Sunderland last weekend revealed his immense potential, as he created five chances, including four key passes, and delivered what Fulham described as 'Some cross' that set up the winning header from Raul Jimenez.

Such a performance brings to focus the class and creativity Chukwueze can bring when at his best, but it also shows the frustrations many fans feel about his inconsistent showings for the Super Eagles.

The Nigerian winger, aged 26, has often demonstrated flashes of brilliance, yet his performances for the national team have failed to match his club form.

Fans have voiced their frustration loudly on social media, with many lamenting the contrast. One fan sarcastically remarked, "Change that jersey to a Super Eagles jersey and he starts playing like a fool," while others questioned, “Where was this against Congo?”

These comments reflect the collective disappointment that Nigeria has missed out on consecutive World Cups, partly due to inconsistent international performances from key players like Chukwueze, who managed 60 and 57 minutes respectively against Gabon and DR Congo in the WCQ playoffs.

This weekend’s display for Fulham was a reminder of the talent Nigeria possesses, but it also served as a wake-up call: fans are demanding more regular, impactful performances to ensure the Super Eagles are competitive in the upcoming AFCON and qualification campaigns.

The recent outcry emphasises that Nigerians will not accept sporadic flashes of brilliance; they want to see sustained excellence from Chukwueze and others in the national team.

With AFCON 2025 just around the corner, the onus is on Chukwueze to channel his club form into international fixtures, becoming the consistent threat Nigerians desperately need.

If he can replicate the quality he showed in his recent cameo, creating chances, providing assists, and showing leadership, despite playing in an unfamiliar left wing, it could be the difference Nigeria needs to rebuild confidence needed to secure a fourth AFCON title.

For Nigerians, including this writer, the hope is that the performance against the Black Cats is a sign of things to come, not just for Fulham, but for Nigeria’s hopes on the continental stage.​