Former Nigerian midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has expressed his concerns over the declining dominance of the Super Eagles in African football, stating that the team is no longer a force to be reckoned with on the continent.

Speaking on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred” show with Ifeanyi Udeze, Ekpo highlighted how African football has evolved significantly, while Nigeria has struggled to keep pace with the competition.

“African football has progressed significantly, and some teams we used to see as minnows have stepped up their game,” Ekpo stated. “Nigeria still views some of these countries as small, but we need to step up as well. We are struggling to win matches against these teams.”

He further criticized the Super Eagles’ performances in recent times, lamenting their inability to dominate games as they once did. According to Ekpo, the team lacks control in possession and struggles with creativity in attack.

“We are no longer giants; we have become ants,” he remarked. “We cannot hold onto the ball and just pass it sideways. If we do not defeat Bafana Bafana in South Africa, our World Cup qualifying dream is over.”

Ekpo also emphasized the importance of selecting the right players and ensuring they are deployed in their best positions. He argued that Nigeria’s tactical approach needs to be more refined to improve their results.

Currently, the Super Eagles are struggling in their World Cup qualifying campaign, sitting in 4th place in their group, six points behind South Africa, who are leading the standings.

With crucial qualifiers ahead, Nigeria faces a tough task in their bid to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their next matches are scheduled against Rwanda on September 3rd and South Africa on September 6th.

The upcoming fixtures will be a defining moment for the Super Eagles as they seek to revive their qualification hopes and re-establish themselves as a dominant force in African football.