How far can Nigeria go at the 2025 AFCON?

The draws for the 2025 AFCON have been completed, so what that means is that every country now knows who their first set of opponents will be in Morocco. Nigeria find themselves in Group C along with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, and in this article, we will be discussing how far we think Nigeria can go at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, looking at their group, the team, coach, and other factors.

 

Let’s start with the coach. It’s important to note that a lot has changed between last year and this year. The coach who took Nigeria to the final in Côte d’Ivoire is not the same coach who will be leading them to Morocco.

 

José Peseiro decided to leave his position as Nigeria coach in March 2024, and after a lengthy search, the NFF finally hired Éric Chelle to take charge of the Super Eagles in January 2025.

 

Chelle was in charge of the Mali national team at the 2023 AFCON and he took them to the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by hosts and eventual winners Côte d’Ivoire. Then shortly after the tournament, he was sacked. So, is this the guy Nigerians can bet on to deliver? We can’t say for sure, but if you do choose to bet on Nigeria’s games, you may like to use a bet9ja promo code. The Super Eagles are a proper team, so regardless of the coach in charge, they’ll always be a team passionate fans are willing to bet on.

 

Anyway, if Nigerians cannot exactly trust their coach, you know who they can certainly put their faith in? The players! One can argue that Nigeria has the best squad which will be going to Morocco come December 2025. All around the pitch, they’re so stacked!

 

From the reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, to the former one Victor Osimhen, to Bundesliga champion Victor Boniface, to AC Milan sensation Samuel Chukwueze, that attack will certainly be ready to fire on all cylinders.

 

Then in the midfield, you have Premier League experienced players like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, and Wilfried Ndidi.

 

Even the defense is packed with Premier League stars like Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina. And don’t forget Captain Fantastic William Troost-Ekong who was named Player of the Tournament last time out.

 

And when you look at the group they were drawn in, you naturally expect Nigeria to not just qualify for the knockout rounds, but to top the group.

 

But can they go all the way to the final yet again? Well, fate seems to be on their side.

 

You see, Nigeria always seems to do well when the AFCON is hosted in North Africa. Egypt 2015, Tunisia 2004, and Egypt 2006, they finished 3rd. In fact, the first time Nigeria won the AFCON on foreign soil, it was in North Africa – Tunisia 1994.

 

And listen to this; the last time Morocco hosted the competition, Nigeria got to the final. So I guess you could say that they love playing in the Northern part of the continent.

 

So, with fate on their side and a really good crop of players, who says Nigeria can’t go all the way?