Since penultimate week that the draws of the 32nd AFCON was unveiled in Morocco, many analysts have looked at the chances of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their quest towards winning the AFCON for the fourth time in Morocco. 

However, no matter how bright the chances of the Eagles is in the tournament, Box 18 will be looking at the possible roadblocks that may stand between Nigeria and the trophy.

 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be heading into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with high expectations, aiming for their fourth continental title. Having secured their place in the tournament with two games to spare in the qualifiers, Nigeria has been tipped as one of the favorites to challenge for the trophy. However, their group stage draw and historical performances suggest a challenging road ahead. 

It is on record that Nigeria made its AFCON debut in 1963 but failed to progress beyond the group stage. The team also did not qualify for the 1965, 1968, and 1970 editions. Their breakthrough came in 1976, when they finished third in Ethiopia, marking their first podium finish.

The 1980 edition, hosted by Nigeria, saw the Super Eagles win their first AFCON title, led by legendary players like  Christian 

Chukwu, Segun Odegbami among others . In subsequent tournaments, Nigeria remained competitive, finishing as runners-up in 1984 and 1988 before finally clinching their second title in 1994 in Tunisia. That 1994 squad, featuring icons like Rashidi Yekini and Jay-Jay Okocha, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest teams.

Between 2000 and 2010, Nigeria consistently finished in the top three, winning bronze in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2010. Despite strong performances, the elusive third title remained out of reach.

In 2013, under coach Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles finally lifted the AFCON trophy again, defeating Burkina Faso in the final. However, they shockingly failed to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 editions. In 2019, Nigeria secured third place, and in 2021, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Tunisia.

Nigeria came close to winning AFCON 2023 but lost the final to Ivory Coast, finishing as runners-up. This strong performance has raised expectations for the upcoming tournament in Morocco.

Nigeria has been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. While the Super Eagles are favorites to progress, their history against Uganda is concerning, as they have lost four times to the East Africans since 1978, winning only twice. However, they have a strong record against Tanzania, winning five of their last eight encounters. Tunisia, a frequent rival, eliminated Nigeria from AFCON 2021, making their upcoming clash highly anticipated.

Nigeria boasts one of the strongest squads in Africa, led by Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, and Ademola Lookman, who was instrumental in their 2023 AFCON campaign. Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has emphasized tactical discipline and mental fortitude.

Key players to watch:

• Victor Osimhen (Striker) – Nigeria’s top goal scorer and main attacking threat.

• Ademola Lookman (Winger/Forward) – Creative playmaker with a knack for scoring crucial goals.

• Wilfred Ndidi (Midfielder) – Provides balance and defensive stability.

• Calvin Bassey (Defender) – A solid presence in the backline.

Coach Eric Chelle needs to implement a balanced approach, focusing on defensive solidity while utilizing Nigeria’s attacking firepower. However, midfield control remains an area of concern, and the team must ensure defensive cohesion against tactically disciplined opponents like Tunisia.

While Nigeria is among the favorites, they must address certain challenges:

1. Defensive Consistency – The team struggled at times in the 2023 AFCON final, and defensive lapses could be costly.

2. Midfield Depth – The absence of a dominant midfield playmaker could affect ball progression.

3. Tougher Opponents in Knockout Stages – If Nigeria progresses, they may face the likes of Senegal, Egypt, or Morocco, all of whom pose significant threats.

Given their recent form and squad strength, Nigeria is expected to at least reach the semifinals. However, if they address their tactical weaknesses, they could go all the way and secure their fourth AFCON title.

The Super Eagles have a strong chance of winning AFCON 2025, backed by their talented squad and recent runner-up finish. However, their path will not be easy, with tricky group-stage opponents and potential heavyweight clashes in the later rounds. If they can maintain defensive stability and capitalize on their attacking firepower, Nigeria could lift the trophy for the first time since 2013.

Can the Super Eagles finally reclaim Africa’s top prize? Only time will tell.