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Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles can secure their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title when the tournament takes place in Morocco in 2025, Soccernet.football reports.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, last lifted the trophy in 2013 under the late Stephen Keshi but fell just short in the 2023 final against hosts Ivory Coast.
Adepoju, who won the AFCON with Nigeria in 1994, believes the current squad has the quality to go all the way next year.
“Given the level of our players, their outing at the last AFCON where they came close to winning the trophy, and the good and great things they’re doing with their various clubs in Europe presently, I am confident that we have a team that can compete favourably and perhaps win the trophy for the fourth time in Morocco,” Adepoju, who was once on the books of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, told thenff.com.
With the tournament just 11 months away, Nigeria now know their group stage opponents following Monday’s draw at the Mohamed V Theatre in Rabat. The Super Eagles will compete in Group C, where they face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Their campaign will begin against Tanzania, a nation they famously defeated 3-1 in the opening match of the 1980 AFCON – the same tournament where Nigeria won their first continental title as hosts.
History, however, suggests the Super Eagles will have to be at their best. Tunisia eliminated Nigeria in the Round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON, while Uganda have historically proven a tricky opponent, including a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at the 1978 finals in Ghana.
Beyond their group, Nigeria face stiff competition from AFCON powerhouses. Hosts Morocco, defending champions Ivory Coast, five-time winners Cameroon, seven-time champions Egypt, 1996 winners South Africa, 2021 victors Senegal, and two-time champions DR Congo will all be strong contenders.
With a squad packed with European-based stars and a recent final appearance under their belt, the Super Eagles will aim to go one step further in Morocco and reclaim their place at the pinnacle of African football.
