Frank Onyeka Sets New Tone As Super Eagles Shift Full Focus To 2025 AFCON

When a footballing nation as passionate as Nigeria misses out on a World Cup, the entire country feels the tremor. From viewing centers to Twitter streets, the reactions are loud, emotional, and deeply reflective.

And the players feel it too—just ask Frank Onyeka.

After the Super Eagles’ heartbreaking elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup race and a nail-biting 4–3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in Rabat, Onyeka stepped forward with a message that cut through the noise: It is time to refocus, regroup, and redeem ourselves at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Brentford midfielder didn’t sugarcoat anything. He admitted the team is hurting just as much as fans but emphasized that dwelling on the setback won’t fix anything.
In his words:
“We, the players, are hurting, just as much as Nigerians are hurting. Nigerians have every right to be very upset with us. It is very tough not to go to the next World Cup.”

For Onyeka, the sting goes beyond the present. He reminded everyone that football careers aren’t forever.
“Some of us may not be around in five years, in 2030,” he said—a reality check that speaks volumes.

But here’s the twist: in the middle of the heartbreak, Onyeka delivered a rallying cry.

Nigeria has 34 days to prepare for AFCON 2025. Thirty-four days to rewrite the narrative. Thirty-four days to step back into the continental spotlight and prove that the Super Eagles are still one of Africa’s biggest football forces.

And honestly? He’s right.

If there’s anything history has taught us, it’s that the Super Eagles know how to bounce back when least expected. From 2013’s triumph to countless comeback qualifying runs, Nigeria has built a reputation for transforming adversity into dominance.

Now all eyes shift to Morocco 2025.

Will the Super Eagles rise to the occasion?
Will the pain of missing the World Cup fuel a stronger, sharper, more united team?
Will this AFCON become the statement tournament Nigeria desperately needs?

At Sports Market International, we’ll be following every development, every camp update, every tactical shift, and every storyline that shapes the journey to AFCON 2025—because this isn’t just football. It’s redemption season.

Stay tuned, stay passionate, and stay connected with the best sports blog for deep insights, coverage, and stories that bring the game to life.