AFCON 2025: THE “BITTER” TRUTH – WHY LEGEND SEGUND ODEGBAMI HAS ABANDONED THE SUPER EAGLES.
As the continent prepares for the grand kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a dark cloud has gathered over the Nigerian camp. It isn’t coming from an injury report or a tactical dispute, but from the searing words of a national icon.
Segun Odegbami, the legendary “Mathematical” winger who led Nigeria to its first AFCON title in 1980, has dropped a bombshell: he is officially “done” with the Super Eagles.
A Legend’s Disillusionment
In a blunt interview that has sent shockwaves through West African sports media, Odegbami revealed that he has stopped following the team’s preparations entirely. For a man whose name is synonymous with Nigerian footballing excellence, this isn’t just a critique—it’s a mourning of the sport’s current state in the country.
“I am not following their preparation for AFCON,” Odegbami stated with surprising finality. “Since our exit from the World Cup qualifiers, the reality is that some of us gave up.”
The “World Cup” Scars
The root of Odegbami’s bitterness lies in Nigeria’s failed pursuit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While many fans held out hope until the final whistle of the qualifiers, the legend believes the failure was a symptom of a much deeper rot.
According to Odegbami, the Super Eagles did not “merit” a place on the world stage because they lacked the requisite effort, quality, and administrative discipline. To him, qualifying would have only papered over the cracks of a crumbling system.
The Impact on the AFCON Campaign
The timing of these comments couldn’t be worse. The Super Eagles arrived in Fés, Morocco just yesterday, preparing to face a challenging Group C featuring Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
While the current squad, led by stars like Victor Osimhen, looks to redeem themselves on the continental stage, the public withdrawal of support from a figure like Odegbami carries heavy weight. It reflects a growing sentiment among the Nigerian “old guard” that the current generation lacks the “Green Eagles” spirit of the 70s and 80s.
What This Means for Fans
Odegbami’s stance has polarized the Nigerian football community:
The Traditionalists: Agree with the legend, citing the lack of home-grown talent development and the team’s inconsistent performances as reasons for a total “reset.”
The New Generation: See his comments as overly harsh and “toxic” just days before a major tournament, arguing that the team needs support now more than ever to rebuild their confidence.
The Final Whistle?
“I’m not going for the AFCON and that’s the reality,” Odegbami concluded.
Whether the Super Eagles can use this “bitter truth” as fuel to prove the legend wrong remains to be seen. If they lift the trophy in Morocco, it may be the only thing capable of bringing “Mathematical” Odegbami back into the fold. If they fail, his words will likely be remembered as the prophecy that defined a dark era for Nigerian football.
AFCON 2025 kicks off on December 21. Will you be watching, or have you, like Odegbami, seen enough?
