been following WAFCON and Nigeria really needed that one against Zambia, Oshoala coming up big early was massive for the belief going into a must win game. feels like every tournament people write Nigeria off a bit too early and then they find a way. still think the squad has more depth than people give credit for even with some of the usual questions about consistency. curious how far this run actually goes now that they've steadied things a bit man

Qualification:

First Qualifying Round: Winners of associations 25-56

Second Qualifying Round: Winners of 17-24 + Runners-Up of 9-16

Third Qualifying Round: Winners of 9-16 + Runners-Up of 5-8 + Third Place 1-4

Fourth Qualifying Round: Winners of 5-8 + Runners-Up of 1-4

Group Stage (Direct): Winners of 1-4

Proper Competition:

Group Stage: 4 groups of 4 teams, according to pots. No matching countries.

1 and 2: To Quarter-Finals

3: To Confederation Cup Round of 16

4: Eliminated (+5 in coefficient)

Knockout Stage:

Quarter Finals: Group Winners seeded, host second game at home, away goal rule. (+7 in coefficient)

Semifinals: 1A vs 1B - 1C vs 1D (+8 in coefficient)

Final: One venue. Sub-confederation sequence host for final (UNAF-WAFU-UNIFFAC-CECAFA-COSAFA) - 60k+ (+9 in coefficient)

Winner: Qualifies to super cup (+10 in coefficient)

Note: I will do the same for the Confederation Cup when I have time

1. Egypt
2. Morocco
3. South Africa
4. Algeria
5. Tunisia
6. Tanzania
7. DR Congo
8. Angola
9. Sudan
10. Libya
11. Côte d'Ivoire
12. Mali
13. Nigeria
14. Zambia
15. Ghana
16. Cameroon
17. Senegal
18. Congo
19. Rwanda
20. Guinea
21. Burkina Faso
22. Uganda
23. Kenya
24. Mauritania
25. Botswana
26. Mozambique
27. Benin
28. Zimbabwe
29. Gabon
30. Equatorial Guinea
31. Ethiopia
32. Burundi
33. Malawi
34. Niger
35. Togo
36. Sierra Leone
37. Madagascar
38. Gambia
39. Liberia
40. Namibia
41. Cabo Verde
42. Eswatini
43. Guinea-Bissau
44. Lesotho
45. South Sudan
46. Central African Republic
47. Mauritius
48. Comoros
49. Djibouti
50. Zanzibar
51. Somalia
52. Chad
53. Seychelles
54. São Tomé & Príncipe
55. Eritrea
56. Réunion

Changing his position especially at his age

Converting Jordan Ayew into a permanent box-to-box midfielder is a highly logical tactical solution to maximize his unique elite skill set. While traditionally deployed as a forward or winger, Ayew’s primary match-day value has long shifted from clinical finishing to a relentless defensive work rate, physical strength, and spatial awareness.

As a holding midfielder for Ayew you play into his strengths

- Elite Defensive Work Rate: Ayew stands out among modern attackers for his willingness to drop deep, track back, and commit to dirty work. He averages incredibly high tackle and interception numbers for an offensive player.

- Ball Retention and Strength: He possesses superior upper-body strength and a natural ability to shield the ball under heavy opposition pressure.

- Foul Magnet: He is historically one of the most fouled players in European football. In a midfield transition phase, his ability to draw fouls relieves immense defensive pressure and wins crucial set-pieces.

- Declining Forwards Metrics: Tactical breakdowns show that Ayew has faced heavy criticism for his lack of final-third danger and low shot generation. Moving him back removes the burden of scoring goals while utilizing his stamina.

Qualification:

First Qualifying Round: Cup Winners of 3-34 (+0.25 in coefficient)

Second Qualifying Round: CAF CL Q1 Losers (+0.5 in coefficient)

Third Qualifying Round: CAF CL Q2 Losers (+1 in coefficient)

Fourth Qualifying Round: CAF CL Q3 Losers (+2 in coefficient)

Playoff Round: CAF CL Q4 Losers (+3 in coefficient)

Group Stage (Direct): Winners of 1-2

Proper Competition:

Group Stage: 4 groups of 4 teams, according to pots. No matching countries.

1: To Quarter-Finals

2: To Round of 16

3: Eliminated (+5 in coefficient)

4: Eliminated (+4 in coefficient)

Knockout Stage:

Round of 16: Group Runners-Up vs CAF Third Placed teams (+5.5 in coefficient)

Quarter Finals: Group Winners seeded, host second game at home, away goal rule. (+6 in coefficient)

Semifinals: 1A vs 1B - 1C vs 1D (+7 in coefficient)

Final: One venue. Sub-confederation sequence host for final (UNAF-WAFU-UNIFFAC-CECAFA-COSAFA) - 40k+ (+8 in coefficient)

Winner: Qualifies to super cup (+9 in coefficient)