By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 30, 2025

Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin has challenged Nigeria’s strikers to improve their finishing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team must win the tournament to restore respect after missing out on the World Cup, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Esin, who won 24 caps for Nigeria and was part of the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship squad, told PUNCH Sports Extra that while securing three points from the group stage matters most, the Super Eagles need better conversion rates in front of goal.

“What matters most is taking the three points from the group stage and finishing top of the group, but we can score better. Not everyone should also depend on (Victor) Osimhen to score, other people can score,” Esin said.

“Lookman too is stepping up and I think he’s fantastic for Nigeria. Everyone else can follow that vein and score.”

The 65-year-old believes Nigeria’s World Cup qualification failure has dampened enthusiasm among fans, but insists an AFCON triumph would revive the nation’s football pride.

“Most people have lost their enthusiasm because we lost the World Cup ticket. We have to win this tournament to win back our respect. If we had this zeal during the World Cup qualifiers, we would have topped the group stage,” he stated.

Nigeria began their AFCON campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania last Tuesday, with Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scoring the goals at the Complexe Sportif de Fes.

Nigeria then beat Tunisia 3-2 on Saturday with Lookman, Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi getting the goals.

The Super Eagles will face Uganda in their last group game on Tuesday (today) as they continue the chase for a fourth AFCON crown.

Source Punch Ng

Posted December 30, 2025

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