Nigeria’s start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been driven by both performance and numbers, Footynaija.com reports.
After two group games, the Super Eagles have already backed up their reputation with stats that reflect one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
With back-to-back wins over Tanzania and Tunisia, Nigeria have taken all six points available in the first two matches in Group C. That perfect start has already sealed their place in the knockout stage, ahead of several others. The Super Eagles are one of the first to book a spot in the round of 16, a sign of how efficiently they’ve handled business so far.
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The three-time African champions are averaging 2.5 per match, having scored five goals in the two games played so far. It is one of the highest rates in the tournament so far.
Victor Osimhen has extended his scoring run from the qualifiers, while Ademola Lookman and Wilfred Ndidi have chipped in with goals from both open plays and set pieces.
The spread of goals across different situations highlights a flexible attacking setup rather than dependence on one route to goal.
Ball control has been another standout feature of Nigeria’s group stage performances. In the 3–2 win over Tunisia, widely seen as the toughest team in Group C, the Super Eagles enjoyed long spells of possession, particularly in the first half.
They completed significantly more passes before the break, showing confidence in dictating tempo against well-drilled opponents. That ability to shift gears, slowing or accelerating play when needed, has been a key part of their early success.
Defensively, the numbers show both strength and areas to manage. Nigeria have conceded three goals, two of them coming late against Tunisia after holding a commanding lead.
While the back line has mostly restricted opponents to low-quality chances, there have been lapses in concentration during periods of pressure. In the knockouts, game management will be just as important as attacking output.
Historically, Nigeria’s AFCON record reinforces their current form. This is the Super Eagles’ 21st appearance at the tournament, and they have reached the semi-finals or beyond in most of those campaigns. Their all-time goal tally now exceeds 140, placing them among the highest-scoring nations in AFCON history.
The numbers from qualifying also support the current picture. Nigeria went unbeaten in their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign, picking up results that reflected tactical stability well before the tournament began. Osimhen and Lookman were already key contributors then, and that form has continued into the group stage in Morocco.
Put together, the numbers describe a Super Eagles side that scores freely, controls possession for long, and draws confidence from tournament experience. There are still margins to tighten, especially late in matches, but statistically, Nigeria are matching eye test with output.
