By Edwin Israel

When the Nigerian Super Eagles plays beautifully, you hardly see a Nigerian family not staying glued to their television, watching keenly and at least, one family member posting on their WhatsApp status, “the trophy is coming to Nigeria.”

When the boys get beaten, the heartbreak is always huge and, on such night, it will be a suicide mission to visit Twitter, now known as X for the fear of being trolled. This is so because Nigerians have learnt to love football with their whole heart.

Not long ago, the Super Eagles failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup. The defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo did not only deflate the tyre of the vehicle conveying us to world cup but also reopened the old wound inflicted on us by Ghana in our own Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The loss came like a betrayal of one thing that usually unites us. Football became a source of frustration when you realize Ghana will be heading to the World Cup while we will have no option than to watch them from our televisions at home.

When AFCON 2025 came, Nigerians drank from the well of hesitation and they did not fail to show it. In the early days of the tournament, stadiums were not awash with green and white as against normal practice. Compared to previous AFCONs, Nigerian fans presence was thin, organized supporters were few, and the noise of the trumpets and drums we are famous for, were close to being missing. Once beaten they say, twice shy.

In Nigeria’s first match against Tanzania, the Super Eagles steadied themselves and won. Not convincingly enough to erase doubts, but enough to whisper “maybe” into the minds of Nigerians.

Against Tunisia, they thrilled and reassured us with a quick racing into a three-goal lead. Though wobbling late, it was an exciting moment seeing our eliminators at AFCON in Egypt falling to defeat in our hands. Qualification for the knockout stage followed, and belief began to stretch its legs again.

There came a voice from above, “this is just de javu, it has happened before and they went down to failing us. We have seen good starts collapse before.”

Today, Nigeria beat Uganda 3–1 to finish the group stage with a perfect nine points from nine. Three wins with goals from various players earned us that. The game control, composure, and confidence were out of this world. Raphael Onyedika announced himself with two goals while Paul Onuachu also delivered. The team did not just win; they looked like they knew why they were winning.

Now the real question confronts us, can Nigerians finally keep their hopes high, or are we being set up for another familiar heartbreak?

Yes, there are reasons to be hopeful. The team has, since the beginning of the AFCON tournament, portrayed themselves as being structured, disciplined and tactically good.

Moreso, the experience of the players called up is priceless in a tournament like AFCON. They have players who have felt failure and seem determined not to repeat it. Most importantly, they are showing consistency, something Nigerian teams are often accused of lacking.

But then, AFCON is unforgiving. Group-stage brilliance does not guarantee knockout-stage glory. We have seen teams dominate early only to be undone by one bad half, one lapse in concentration, or one moment of complacency. The margins are thin, and history reminds us that talent alone has never been enough.

So where does that leave the common Nigerian fan? Perhaps hope again, but wisely. Let them take each match as it comes. Let Nigerians cheer without crowning them champions too early.

For now, something important has already happened. The Super Eagles have repaired a fragile relationship with their people. They have reminded us why we gather around screens, why we argue over lineups, why football still matters so deeply here.

And in Nigerian football, that alone is a victory worth acknowledging.