Akwuegbu: Next AFCON Will Be Much More Difficult as African Football Continues to Rise
By: Nathaniel Mobolade.
Former Nigeria international striker Benedict Akwuegbu has warned that the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be increasingly difficult as the standard of African football continues to improve across the continent.
Akwuegbu, who represented Nigeria from the junior national teams through to the Super Eagles, said the growing competitiveness of African football means no traditional powerhouse can afford to underestimate its opponents.
“The next AFCON will be much more difficult because African football has improved tremendously. What we saw from African countries at the World Cup is proof that many teams are now capable of competing at the highest level,” Akwuegbu said.
The former striker’s assessment comes against the backdrop of the increasingly competitive performances of African nations on the global stage. He believes the progress of several national teams has changed the balance of power in African football, making future continental competitions more unpredictable.
Akwuegbu is particularly qualified to assess the development of African football, having experienced the game at several levels. He represented Nigeria at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and senior national teams, including the 1989 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Scotland and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.
He was also part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up.
His international career was complemented by a long European club career. Akwuegbu played in France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, China and England. In Austria, he became strongly associated with Grazer AK, where he spent several seasons and earned the nickname “Austrian Bomber.”
His career record includes Austrian league and cup success with the club.
Although his latest assessment features Nigeria’s national team, Akwuegbu’s message extends beyond the Super Eagles. His warning is that African football is no longer dominated by a small group of established powers. Emerging teams have increasingly demonstrated the organisation, technical quality, physical strength and tactical discipline required to compete with the continent’s traditional giants.
For Nigeria, the message is particularly significant. The Super Eagles have historically been among Africa’s leading football nations, but Akwuegbu’s assessment suggests that reputation alone will not be enough in future AFCON campaigns.
The former striker’s experience also gives his comments added weight. Having played for Nigeria at every major national-team development level before reaching the senior side, he has witnessed the evolution of Nigerian and African football over several generations.
Akwuegbu’s remarks therefore amount to both a warning and a challenge: African football’s rising competitiveness should be embraced, but established nations such as Nigeria must continue investing in player development, coaching, infrastructure and competitive preparation if they are to remain at the top.
With more African teams capable of challenging for major honours, the next AFCON promises to be a tournament in which margins will become smaller and the quality of preparation will matter more than ever.
