Morocco 2025: Super Eagles Aim for Fourth AFCON Title as Tournament Kicks Off

The Super Eagles on Thursday evening, aboard a chartered flight from their final training camp in Cairo, signalled their determination to mount a strong challenge for a fourth continental crown as the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals begin in the Kingdom of Morocco on Sunday.

Winners on home soil in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994 and in South Africa in 2013, the Super Eagles will launch their bid for another title against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on Tuesday in the historic city of Fés. The team carries the added motivation of wanting to appease their passionate supporters at home and abroad following the disappointment of failing to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.

The retirement of William Troost-Ekong, announced just before the team’s departure to Cairo, has paved the way for midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi to assume the captain’s armband. Veterans Simon Moses and Alex Iwobi, along with prolific forward Victor Osimhen, are expected to serve as deputies.

The much-anticipated opening ceremony on Sunday, featuring Nigeria’s globally acclaimed singer Davido at the iconic Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, will precede the opening match between hosts Morocco and Comoros, with the Atlas Lions hoping to continue their remarkable run of success in international football.

Nigeria, who claimed their first AFCON title 45 years ago after defeating Tanzania in their opening match, will be aiming for a convincing start to maintain momentum ahead of tougher fixtures against Tunisia on Saturday, 27 December, and Uganda on Tuesday, 30 December.

Coach Eric Chelle revealed his mindset ahead of the tournament when speaking to CAFOnline.com last month. “When you coach Nigeria, you have to win everything.” It is the reality he faces, particularly after the World Cup miss.

Tanzania, coached by Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, a 1994 AFCON winner, will be making only their fourth appearance at the competition, and their second consecutive outing after featuring in Côte d’Ivoire. They have played nine matches in total, drawing three and losing six, without registering a single win.

Tunisia, with 21 previous appearances, one more than Nigeria, are renowned for their consistency, Morocco 2025 marking their 17th consecutive participation. Their sole triumph came on home soil in 2004 when they edged Morocco’s Atlas Lions in a tense final in Rades. The Carthage Eagles have played 83 AFCON matches, winning 25, losing 28 and drawing 30. Among their defeats were a 2-4 loss to co-hosts Nigeria in 2000, a 1-0 defeat in the third-place match of the 2019 finals in Egypt, and a contentious third-place match in Ghana in 1978, awarded to Nigeria after Tunisia walked off following a goal by Baba Otu Mohammed. Tunisia also eliminated Nigeria in the Round of 16 in Cameroon four years ago.

Uganda’s Cranes have historically posed problems for Nigeria in qualifying campaigns and tournaments. Philip Omondi scored both goals to eliminate Nigeria in the semi-finals of the 1978 championship in Ghana, and since then the Eagles have often struggled against the Cranes despite fielding star-studded squads. Their clash in Fés on Tuesday, 30 December, promises to be a stern test. Uganda will be making their eighth AFCON appearance, though they missed the last two finals in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. They have played 23 matches, winning four, drawing three and losing 16. Their runner-up finish in Ghana in 1978, when they were beaten by Opoku Afriye’s Black Stars in Accra, remains their best result.

Overall, the Super Eagles, who have played 104 matches across 20 previous AFCON campaigns, are expected to progress safely through the group stage in Fés before tackling the knockout rounds in Morocco one game at a time.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver in North Africa.
“We have prepared the team, intending to lift the trophy. The FIFA World Cup miss still bites, but if we can win the Africa Cup of Nations, it will go a long way to assuaging the feelings of our fans at home and in the diaspora, and it will also be good for the present generation of Super Eagles as they will have at least one major triumph to their name.”Gusau praised his administration’s efforts to maintain high standards in travel, accommodation and logistics for the team despite economic challenges.
“It has not been easy, but we have to continue to appreciate and show that we value the contributions of the players and officials at all times. They have to travel and lodge in convenience, and that is something we must always find a way to work out, despite the challenges that the Federation faces.
I have confidence in the coaches and the players that we have to turn the present gloom around and make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”