British-Nigerian coach Chuks Akuneto has offered a measured assessment of African football’s standing on the global stage, identifying tactical deficiencies as the primary obstacle separating the continent’s teams from the world’s best, while crediting their performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a sign of meaningful development.
Akuneto, who serves as assistant manager of Oldham Athletic’s U-18 side and holds a UEFA A licence, spoke to Complete Sports on the sidelines of the ongoing tournament, where African representation has been notably strong. Of the ten African nations that participated, nine advanced from the group stage — with Tunisia the only team to exit at the earliest opportunity. South Africa’s campaign ended in the Round of 32 following a defeat to Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium.
“I’m impressed with what the African teams are doing at the World Cup 2026,” Akuneto said. “They have clearly shown they are worthy ambassadors of the continent and that they can go even further in the competition.”
Despite that praise, the former FC United assistant manager was candid about where the gap still exists. “Tactically, I think we are one or two steps behind the world leaders such as France and Spain,” he explained, using those two nations as a benchmark for elite-level football. He did, however, express confidence that the deficit is bridgeable, drawing on Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a reference point. “But I believe that, just as Morocco did in 2022, Africa can continue to grow and go beyond where Morocco stopped the last time.”
Akuneto also pointed to longstanding structural issues that have historically limited African nations at major tournaments, framing talent as never having been the core problem. “We have never lacked talent. What we have lacked is decisiveness, proper planning and effective preparation for major tournaments,” he stated.
To illustrate Africa’s enduring potential, Akuneto referenced two landmark moments in the continent’s World Cup history: Nigeria’s 1994 campaign in the United States, when the Super Eagles came within two minutes of reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Italy, and Morocco’s aforementioned 2022 run, which saw the Atlas Lions become the first African side to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup.
For Nigeria specifically, attention will turn to long-term planning once the 2026 tournament concludes. The Super Eagles’ qualification campaign for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is set to begin following the conclusion of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, giving head coach Aliou Badara Chelle and the Nigeria Football Federation a defined window to address the structural and tactical shortcomings Akuneto has outlined.
Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having failed to secure a spot through CAF’s qualifying rounds — a painful absence that adds weight to Akuneto’s call for improved planning and preparation ahead of the next cycle.
