The Super Eagles

are currently in the thick of a high-stakes month. Having just navigated the group stages of AFCON 2025 (which is being held now in January 2026), the team is entering the knockout phase with massive expectations.

Here is what is happening right now and what is coming next:

1. AFCON 2025: The Knockout Push

The Super Eagles are currently in Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations.

• Round of 16: Nigeria just faced Mozambique on Monday, January 5, 2026.Under coach Eric Chelle, the team showed dominant form, winning all three of their group stage matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda.
• Quarter-Finals: Following their Round of 16 victory, Nigeria is scheduled to play their Quarter-Final match on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Marrakech Stadium.
• The Goal: After the heartbreak of missing direct World Cup qualification, the team is desperate to win their fourth continental title. The final is set for January 18, 2026, in Rabat

2. The 2026 World Cup "Last Chance"

While South Africa took the direct qualification spot from Nigeria's group, the Super Eagles have a second chance through the Intercontinental Playoffs.

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• The Intercontinental Finals: Having defeated Gabon and DR Congo in the African playoffs in late 2025, Nigeria has qualified for the final FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March 2026.
• The Stakes: This mini-tournament (held in Mexico) will decide the final two teams for the 2026 World Cup. As one of the highest-ranked teams in the playoff pool, Nigeria is expected to be "seeded," meaning they may only need to win one final match to book their ticket to the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

3. The New Leadership: Coach Eric Chelle

Since taking over in early 2025, former Mali boss Eric Chelle has brought stability to the team.

• Unbeaten Run: He has remained largely unbeaten in competitive matches, successfully integrating new talents like Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare alongside veterans like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
• Tactical Shift: Chelle has moved away from the defensive style of previous years, leading Nigeria to be the highest-scoring team in the AFCON group stages this month.