The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off in Morocco in a couple of weeks and former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida believes the Super Eagles must do everything they can to secure a fourth continental triumph, Footynaija.com reports.
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles are still reeling from the recent disappointment of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup following that heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the CAF play-offs final last month.
Despite missing out on a World Cup ticket, the Nigerians will still be going into the AFCON as one of the strongest contenders for the title and Tijani believes going all the way in Morocco is the only path to redemption for the Super Eagles.
“I think that after the unfortunate experience of missing the FIFA World Cup back to back, it is still very painful to digest this reality,” Babangida told Tribal Football.
“However, the next target is the AFCON tournament, which can be used to redeem the image of Nigeria football. For NFF, the players and football stakeholders, all we have now is the AFCON. So, we have to do everything we can to win the tournament.
“The tournament will not be easy, all the major African teams that qualified for the 2026 World Cup are also there, but the Super Eagles may surprise the world and go all the way.
“I think the team can bring the Cup back to Nigeria after more than 12 years. I see Nigeria playing in the final, at least and anything can happen in cup final. Super Eagles played in the final of the last edition. The team lost to Cote d’Ivoire 2-1.”
Nigeria’s AFCON campaign will kick off with a game against Group C opponents Tanzania on December 23, with subsequent matches versus Tunisia and Uganda on December 27 and December 30 respectively.
