AFCON qualification non-negotiable – Awoniyi

Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, has declared that qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is non-negotiable, insisting that Nigeria will secure the ticket despite the challenges ahead, Sunday PUNCH reports.

Awoniyi spoke to journalists in Uyo on Saturday, ahead of the team’s departure for Tanzania, where the Super Eagles face the Taifa Stars in the return leg of their qualifier on Tuesday.

He said he was confident in the squad’s determination, commitment and readiness to deliver for millions of Nigerian football supporters.

Nigeria are second in their qualifying group with three matches remaining, and the striker said the players understood the importance of the fixtures.

“AFCON is non-negotiable. The ticket, we have to get it done no matter what. You see the boys, you see the motive, the passion in them, and I believe the same will go into the next three games,” he said.

Away from the national team, Awoniyi highlighted his work in grassroots football in Kwara State through the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation. He said the foundation’s vision was to create sustainable opportunities and pathways for young talents, with activities extending beyond Ilorin to all 16 local government areas of the state. The aim, he said, was to identify, nurture and empower young players and ensure that promising footballers from rural communities were not left behind.

He added that the foundation had recently worked with partners from the United Kingdom on a capacity-building programme for more than 44 local coaches, aimed at improving coaching standards and strengthening grassroots development.

He stressed that meaningful development required stakeholders to work together.

“Life has given many of us so much, but what we do with it really matters. The main goal is to create a pathway for the next generation. We just have to become one and lift each other up,” he said.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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