Nigeria AFCON 2025 Preview
Nigeria arrives in Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 with formidable attacking strength and the expectation to succeed. Historically a powerhouse, Nigeria now seeks to turn talent into cohesive performances under Éric Chelle's management. Despite a troubled qualifying run, they emerged top of their group, emphasizing offensive strategy mixed with defensive stability. However, concerns remain about defensive vulnerabilities, particularly during transitions. In a competitive group, Nigeria aims for at least a semi-final appearance, yet their defensive solidity in crunch matches remains crucial in defining their tournament journey.
- Nigeria's challenging history at AFCON includes three championships and five runner-up finishes.
- Manager Éric Chelle aims to balance attacking talent with defensive discipline for tournament success.
- Despite top group finish, qualifiers revealed vulnerabilities that could affect quarter-final prospects.
Nigeria under pressure going into 2025 AFCON (Getty Images)
Nigeria arrives in Morocco with one of the deepest attacking pools on the continent — and with expectations to match.
The Super Eagles were beaten finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations and have the kind of star power that makes them automatic contenders.
However, the history of the AFCON tournament is full of heavyweight stumbles, and Nigeria’s challenge will be turning talent into cohesion in a tight group where every dropped point has consequences.
History at the Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria are three-time AFCON champions (1980, 1994 and 2013) and one of the tournament’s most consistent powers. They have lost in the final five times and finished third eight times, so they have a legacy of AFCON achievements.
Their most recent campaign ended in a run to the final, and that near-miss has sharpened the national demand for silverware rather than “progress”.
| Year | Host Country | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Ethiopia | Third place |
| 1978 | Ghana | Third place |
| 1980 | Nigeria | Champions |
| 1982 | Libya | Group stage |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Runners-up |
| 1988 | Morocco | Runners-up |
| 1990 | Algeria | Runners-up |
| 1992 | Senegal | Third place |
| 1994 | Tunisia | Champions |
| 2000 | Ghana / Nigeria | Runners-up |
| 2002 | Mali | Third place |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Third place |
| 2006 | Egypt | Third place |
| 2008 | Ghana | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 | Angola | Third place |
| 2013 | South Africa | Champions |
| 2019 | Egypt | Third place |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Round of 16 |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Runners-up |
The Road to Morocco: Top spot, and a few bumps
Nigeria qualified via Group D, finishing top of the section with 11 points and a plus-6 goal difference, but with just three wins out of six they were far from the dominant force they are known to be in African football.
The campaign was not without drama, including an off-field controversy late in the group, but Nigeria still did enough to finish above Benin and Rwanda in a tightly packed race.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 11 |
| 2 | Benin | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Rwanda | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 8 |
| 4 | Libya | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 5 |
Managerial spotlight - Éric Chelle’s first AFCON test
The Nigeria Football Federation turned to Éric Chelle in January 2025, handing the former Mali boss the job of stabilising results and building a tournament-ready identity in under a year.
AFCON is an unforgiving proving ground: Nigeria’s supporters expect proactive football, but the knockout format often rewards pragmatism.
Chelle’s key task is marrying attacking freedom with defensive structure. In 14 matches this year he has led Nigeria to eight wins, two draws and just two defeats, taking them to a win in the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
Squad Analysis: Balancing attack and defence
Nigeria’s strength is obvious: pace and directness out wide, elite finishing, and a well-drilled midfield capable of pressing high and counter-attacking.
The bigger questions are at the back — especially in moments of transition — and whether the team can keep control when their opponents sit deep and force patience.
If Nigeria’s leaders stay fit and the defensive unit avoids chaotic spells, they have the ceiling to beat anyone in the tournament.
| Pos | Player | DOB | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Francis Uzoho | 28 October 1998 (age 27) | 30 | 0 | Omonia |
| GK | Stanley Nwabali | 10 June 1996 (age 29) | 27 | 0 | Chippa United |
| GK | Amas Obasogie | 27 December 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Singida Black Stars |
| DEF | Semi Ajayi | 9 November 1993 (age 32) | 46 | 1 | Hull City |
| DEF | Calvin Bassey | 31 December 1999 (age 25) | 37 | 1 | Fulham |
| DEF | Chidozie Awaziem | 1 January 1997 (age 28) | 36 | 1 | Nantes |
| DEF | Zaidu Sanusi | 13 June 1997 (age 28) | 26 | 0 | Porto |
| DEF | Bright Osayi-Samuel | 31 December 1997 (age 27) | 25 | 0 | Birmingham City |
| DEF | Bruno Onyemaechi | 3 April 1999 (age 26) | 20 | 0 | Olympiacos |
| DEF | Igoh Ogbu | 8 February 2000 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Slavia Prague |
| DEF | Ryan Alebiosu | 17 December 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Blackburn |
| MF | Alex Iwobi | 3 May 1996 (age 29) | 91 | 10 | Fulham |
| MF | Wilfred Ndidi | 16 December 1996 (age 28) | 71 | 0 | Besiktas |
| MF | Frank Onyeka | 1 January 1998 (age 27) | 36 | 3 | Brentford |
| MF | Raphael Onyedika | 19 April 2001 (age 24) | 17 | 1 | Club Brugge |
| MF | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru | 6 February 2001 (age 24) | 9 | 2 | Lazio |
| MF | Ebenezer Akinsanmiro | 25 November 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Pisa |
| MF | Tochukwu Nnadi | 30 June 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Zulte Waregem |
| MF | Muhammed Usman | 2 March 1994 (age 31) | 0 | 0 | Ironi Tiberias |
| FW | Moses Simon | 12 July 1995 (age 30) | 87 | 10 | Paris |
| FW | Samuel Chukwueze | 22 May 1999 (age 26) | 51 | 7 | Fulham |
| FW | Victor Osimhen | 29 December 1998 (age 26) | 45 | 31 | Galatasaray |
| FW | Ademola Lookman | 20 October 1997 (age 28) | 34 | 8 | Atalanta |
| FW | Paul Onuachu | 28 May 1994 (age 31) | 24 | 3 | Trabzonspor |
| FW | Cyriel Dessers | 8 December 1994 (age 31) | 10 | 4 | Panathinaikos |
| FW | Chidera Ejuke | 2 January 1998 (age 27) | 10 | 1 | Sevilla |
| FW | Akor Adams | 29 January 2000 (age 25) | 4 | 2 | Sevilla |
| FW | Salim Fago Lawal | 15 January 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Istra 1961 |
Prediction: How will they perform?
Nigeria have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Optimist View - One of the really big names in the tournament, they should breeze through the group stage and are widely backed to make the semi-final as the attack finds its rhythm, but a place in the final isn’t as clear-cut.
The Realist View - If their defence gets ragged they could well be heading home after the quarter-finals through conceding cheap goals in the one-off chaos of knockout football against a compact opponent.
Prediction - Quarter-final
Their defence is a real concern, and with the well-drilled and highly motivated sides likely to hit the quarter-finals, Nigeria is unlikely to offer great value for making it through to the semis.
Fixtures - Tanzania offer a gentle start to the group
| Day/Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 23 December | 19:30 | Nigeria vs Tanzania | Fez Stadium |
| Saturday, 27 December | 22:00 | Nigeria vs Tunisia | Fez Stadium |
| Tuesday, 30 December | 18:00 | Nigeria vs Uganda | Fez Stadium |
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