Friday Elaho, a member of Nigeria’s 1990 AFCON silver-winning squad, has voiced concerns over the Super Eagles’ readiness for AFCON 2025, saying preparation now is nothing like it was in his day, Footynaija.com reports.
With Nigeria set for another North African challenge in this year’s edition, memories of Algiers ’90 are flooding back in a campaign where the Super Eagles finished runners-up to hosts Algeria.
AFCON 2025 is coming at a sensitive time for the Super Eagles. Nigeria remain three-time African champions and finalists at the last edition, but they arrive in Morocco carrying the weight of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Drawn in a tricky group with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, Nigeria face a tough road in Morocco, and expectations remain high. But amid the buildup, Algiers ’90 standout Friday Elaho has raised concerns over a worrying drop in preparation standards compared to his era.
“I don’t know the state of the team now, but their preparation has not been the best. The way they stroll into camp does not give room for proper planning,” Elaho said, in a report by the Guardian.
He recalled how the Super Eagles approached the 1990 Nations Cup, noting that extensive groundwork was done long before a ball was kicked in Algeria.
“Before we played at Algiers ’90, we spent close to two weeks in camp in Holland, perfecting our game because most of us were new to the team,” he explained.
According to Elaho, that period allowed players to understand each other and fully grasp the technical demands of the coaching crew, something he feels may be missing ahead of AFCON 2025.
“But times are different. I don’t know if these players can play as a team and adapt to the coach’s plan in the championship,” he added.
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