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Mikel Obi Slams NFF Over Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 Preparations
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has launched a blistering critique of Nigeria’s build-up to AFCON 2025, accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of failing to get its house in order weeks before the tournament begins.
Speaking on his ObiOne podcast, Mikel said he was deeply unimpressed by the state of preparations for the finals in Morocco, which kick off on Sunday. He questioned how a national team coach could still be owed salaries at such a sensitive moment for Nigerian football.
“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened with the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to be better,” said Mikel, who has previously called for the resignation of the NFF board following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless! This is not how serious football nations operate. When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone, the coach, the players and even the fans.
“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again. You can’t go into the AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now. Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better.”
Reports had claimed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the 2025 AFCON.
However, Naija News reports that the National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko, revealed on Monday that the commission had stepped in to cover Chelle’s wages, despite not being a party to his contract.
“The NSC have been paying the salaries of Eric Chelle (Super Eagles coach) on behalf of the NFF even though we’re not a party to the contract,” Dikko said on Arise Television. “This is part of our support to the NFF.”
Nigeria will compete in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, with their opening fixture against Tanzania scheduled for December 23 in Fès.
The Super Eagles head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly, played on Tuesday in Cairo.
Born on the 27th of August 1952 in Lagos, Patrick Olusegun Odegbami remains one of the most iconic figures in Nigerian and African football. The ex-captain of the Nigerian Green Eagles and sports journalist, who played as a forward, won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the Nigeria national team which he guided to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament in his homeland. The “Mathematical” as he is fondly called, is admired not only for his brilliance on the pitch, but for the discipline, intelligence, and restraint that defined his game
Related: SPORTS PLANET Podcast…EPISODE 40: The Mathematical Segun Odegbami Football Journey
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Sir Alex Ferguson offers warm backing to Ruben Amorim but admits it could take ’10 or 11 years’ for Manchester United to recapture the glory days
Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted it could take ’10 or 11 years’ for the club to return to the summit of the game, but has offered his backing to current boss Ruben Amorim.
Ferguson had led Man United to 38 trophies in his 26-year reign, including delivering 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs.
Man United are yet to win either competition since Ferguson’s retirement at the end of the 2012-13 season.
The Red Devils endured a nightmare 2024-25 campaign which saw Amorim – who was appointed mid-season – lead the club to a 15th placed finish, their worst in the Premier League era.
Amorim’s side have shown signs of improvement this season and currently lie sixth in the table, two points shy of the top four and guaranteed Champions League qualification.
Speaking to Press Box PR in Bahrain, Ferguson offered his backing to Amorim amid the challenge of trying to restore Man United’s status at the top of English football.
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted it could take Man United ’10 or 11 years’ to win the Premier League title again
Ferguson offered his backing to Man United boss Ruben Amorim in his efforts to turn around the club’s fortunes
He cited the example of Liverpool, who endured a lengthy title drought, when reflecting on how long it could take for his former club to win the Premier League again.
‘He [Amorim] is a good personality, it is not easy,’ Ferguson said.
‘I remember looking back on my own time there, starting off when Liverpool were the bee’s knees. They were a fantastic club winning the European Cup four times and all that, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.
‘We are now in the same situation. It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle.
‘It has to be thought out carefully and we have to make sure the recruitment is going to be better than what it was.’
Ferguson has suggested Man United’s summer recruitment has helped their improved form so far this season.
The 83-year-old recently lauded the addition of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who joined from Royal Antwerp in a £21.7million move.
The Belgian shot-stopper has established himself as Man United’s first choice goalkeeper and has made several impressive stops in his 10 Premier League appearances to date.
Ferguson repeated his recent praise for Senne Lammens and suggested the goalkeeper could become ‘inspirational’
Ferguson again praised Man United’s decision to sign the 23-year-old, suggesting he could be an ‘inspirational player’, while also highlighting the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
‘I think the appointment of the goalkeeper [Lammens] has made a difference,’ Ferguson added.
‘He’s young at 23, he’s quick, a big lad, good feet and hands, and I think that helps. I think they have needed that player. United have always had inspirational players over the years. I think that has helped.
‘The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha, they look as if they will contribute to the recovery of our form.’
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Sir Alex Ferguson offers warm backing to Ruben Amorim but admits it could take ’10 or 11 years’ for Manchester United to recapture the glory days
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has said Ola Aina is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, DAILY POST reports.
Aina sustained the injury while on international duty with Nigeria in September.
The 29-year-old was left out of the Super Eagles squad to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to the injury.
The full-back featured for Forest’s U-21 side against Millwall this week in a bid to build his fitness.
Dyche revealed Aina is recovering fast from the injury.
“Ola is halfway through his progress in fitness, training more regularly with the team now, so that is good. Obviously, it’s been a long-term injury, so we have to be careful with that one,”
The former Chelsea star is expected to return to action for Forest in the new year.
Welcome to Complete Sports Update, where we bring you the trending stories in the world of sports. Today, we’re doing a match preview of the Super Eagles AFCON 2025 opener versus Tanzania. We’ll also cover technical insights into the Super Eagles coach; Eric Chelle’s tactics.
Topics Discussed in Video;
* The Super Eagles Of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Campaign Set To Kickoff With An Opening Match Against Tanzania
* A look at the Eagles’ past meetings at the AFCON with their group opponents; Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda
* Expectations of the team prior to their clash with the Kilimanjaro Stars of Tanzania
Related: Which Players Should Make The Final List For Nigeria 2025 AFCON?
USEFUL LINKS
AFCON 2025: Morocco Buzzing, Ready To Host Rest Of The Continent
✅ https://www.completesports.com/afcon-2025-morocco-buzzing-ready-to-host-rest-of-the-continent/
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles To Hold Two Training Sessions On Friday
✅ https://www.completesports.com/afcon-2025-super-eagles-to-hold-two-training-sessions-on-friday/
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The DR Congo has issued a strong response to Nigeria following a formal complaint submitted by the Nigerian Football Federation to FIFA over alleged player eligibility violations.
Nigeria’s petition accuses DR Congo of fielding ineligible players during World Cup qualifiers, claiming that FIFA was misled through incomplete or inaccurate documentation.
The complaint has now sparked a public exchange between both football federations and senior officials, drawing continental and global attention.
DR Congo’s players celebrate. (Photo by SIA KAMBOU / AFP)
In a statement posted on the official DR Congo national team X account, the Congolese Football Federation dismissed Nigeria’s move as unsporting and unnecessary.
The statement read:
“If you cannot win on the pitch, do not try to win from the back door. The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence, not with legal tricks. Bring it.”
The response did not stop there. DR Congo’s Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, also weighed in with a pointed message aimed directly at Nigeria. According to Ilunga, FIFA’s criteria are clear and not rooted in domestic legal interpretations of nationality.
“FIFA does not consider legal nationality but sporting nationality. If that is true, I advise you, dear Naija brothers, to focus on AFCON instead,” he said.
The reaction from DR Congo came shortly after the Nigerian Football Federation’s General Secretary publicly confirmed that a petition had been submitted to FIFA.
He argued that DR Congo deceived the world football governing body by providing misleading or incomplete information regarding the players in question.
“That is why FIFA cleared them,” he explained. “FIFA rules state that once you have a passport from your country, you are eligible. However, our concern is that FIFA was deceived into granting that clearance. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that Congo’s internal laws are followed. What we are saying is that there was fraud.”
At the heart of the dispute is not football performance but legal documentation and nationality status.
The case centers on whether the players involved genuinely met the eligibility requirements under both Congolese law and FIFA regulations.
Under the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo, nationality is governed by strict legal procedures.
Foreign nationals can only become Congolese through defined routes such as naturalization, marriage, option, or adoption. Even then, citizenship is not automatic.
The process must be approved in the national interest and pass through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and finally the President.
Nigeria’s argument suggests that these constitutional requirements may not have been fully met, raising questions about whether the players were legally Congolese at the time FIFA granted clearance.
This issue comes at a time when FIFA has reinforced its zero tolerance stance on eligibility fraud.
Recently, Malaysia was sanctioned with a three point deduction for breaching player eligibility regulations, a precedent that adds weight to Nigeria’s complaint.
Also read: Super Eagles Depart for Fez Ahead of 2025 AFCON Campaign
FIFA is now reportedly conducting a detailed investigation into the DR Congo case.
The outcome could have significant implications for World Cup qualification FIFA InterContinental Playoffs Final and may set another important precedent in African football governance.
Both Nigerians and Congolese watches closely as FIFA determines the final verdicts ,if Dr Congo will lose their place in the FIFA InterContinental Playoffs qualifiers and Nigeria will qualify.
SPORT
Why Alejandro Garnacho can be a £40m bargain for Chelsea: How the winger is impressing Enzo Maresca after arriving to little excitement after his controversial Man United exit
Enzo Maresca pointed to his players as one of key reasons he is ‘happy’ at Chelsea on Tuesday night, attempting to offer reassurance following his headline-grabbing comments on the weekend.
The Italian had claimed after Chelsea’s win over Everton that he had experienced ‘the worst 48 hours’ of his tenure, citing a lack of support from ‘people’, something he is yet to clarify.
While Maresca sought to reduce the noise by thanking Chelsea’s fans for their support and declaring he was ‘falling more in love with the players’, a star known for generating his own headlines had continued his quiet progress on the pitch.
Alejandro Garnacho had been called upon by Maresca to help his much-changed side overcome League One high-flyers Cardiff, who had frustrated the Blues in the first half.
Garnacho, who came on with Joao Pedro at half-time, made a telling contribution by scoring twice to help Chelsea earn a 3-1 victory to book their place in the semi-finals.
The Argentine’s double furthered his cause to be Chelsea’s first-choice on the left wing, with £52million summer signing Jamie Gittens having struggled during the first half.
Alejandro Garnacho, left, scored twice in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Cardiff on Tuesday
Garnacho is starting to show signs he could prove to be a bargain signing at £40million
While Garnacho has scored just four times since his £40m summer move from Man United – also notching against Sunderland and Qarabag – there is a view that he could prove to be a bargain addition by the Blues.
Maresca had largely used Garnacho off the bench in his early weeks at Chelsea having noted he had not arrived in the best condition after being consigned to Man United’s ‘bomb squad’.
The winger has made more starts in recent weeks and appears content with his role in the Chelsea squad, despite only completing the full 90 minutes once since signing.
‘They brought me on and I tried to help the team,’ Garnacho told Sky Sports following Tuesday night’s victory. ‘Me, Pedro and the rest of the players did that, we are really happy.
‘As a group we are doing really well. Sometimes you have to start games and sometimes you have to help from the bench. We don’t focus on this, we just try to help the team.
‘We’ll try to compete for everything, and the semi-final is the next one so we’ll try to win.’
Garnacho’s comments may have raised an eyebrow among Manchester United fans given the nature of his exit from the club over the summer.
The winger had courted controversy in the immediate aftermath of the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, largely due to his complaints about being left on the bench for the season-defining match in Bilbao. Garnacho’s brother Roberto had also accused Amorim of ‘throwing him under the bus’ in a social media post.
Garnacho’s uneasy relationship with Man United boss Ruben Amorim played out in public last season
‘Obviously it’s hard for everyone,’ Garnacho had said. ‘Our season was s***. We didn’t beat anyone in the league. We lacked a lot of things. When you don’t score goals, you always need more.
‘Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.’
In response Amorim was reported to have brutally told Garnacho ‘You better hope you have a good agent this summer’, with the winger consigned to the Man United bomb squad.
On reflection, Amorim’s comment might have been hasty, as Chelsea had emerged as suitors for Garnacho from the moment his Man United career appeared in doubt after he had been axed for the Manchester derby in December over a show of dissent to Amorim.
While many would have been put off by Garnacho’s history – from liking social media posts criticising Erik ten Hag, sharing another post after being substituted against Ipswich and his Europa League final outburst – the Blues maintained their interest.
Man United’s willingness to part with Garnacho may have also enabled the Blues to snare him for a bargain £40million price.
Despite the obvious concerns, the fee offered clear value for a full Argentina international with eight caps, especially one who has won the Copa America, League Cup and FA Cup, and had made 93 Premier League appearances at such a young age prior to his arrival at Chelsea.
While Garnacho was signed to add to Chelsea’s attack and has been known for producing the spectacular on occasion during his career, most notably his Puskas award winning overhead kick for Man United against Everton, it is another area of his game that has impressed Maresca.
Garnacho is understood to have impressed Enzo Maresca with his defensive work, reflected by his introduction at half-time against Arsenal after Chelsea had been reduced to 10-men
Daily Mail Sport understands the Chelsea boss has been impressed with Garnacho’s willingness to help out defensively, which has helped his cause when pushing to make the left wing berth his own.
When Chelsea were reduced to 10-men against Arsenal last month, Garnacho would unlikely have been the first name that came to mind for fans to help the Blues against the league leaders.
However, Garnacho was the first player Maresca turned to on his bench with the winger coming on at half-time in place of Estevao.
In addition to his defensive work, Garnacho’s speed on the break helped Chelsea retain a threat against Arsenal.
Perceptions of Garnacho are likely to remain coloured for some time by his spell at Man United, as evidenced by one pundit recently criticising how he dresses when turning up for matches.
However, Maresca spoke of Garnacho’s desire to learn and described the winger as being ‘easy to work with’ earlier this month.
‘He can give much more, but it’s not only Alejandro. I think all the players, we try to work every day with them to improve,’ Maresca said.
‘It’s been easy to work with him because he wants to learn, has an open mind, and works hard on and off the ball.
Perceptions of Garnacho remain from his time at Man United with a pundit recently criticising how he dresses when arriving for matches
Maresca has described Garnacho as being ‘easy to work with’, challenging the publicly held view of the winger
‘Some games he is better, some games he has struggled a little bit, but overall he is doing very well.’
Maresca’s comments lend weight to a view from those who know Garnacho well, who had suggested to Daily Mail Sport earlier this year that he has been deeply misunderstood and does not possess the ego many online purport him to have.
Garnacho had returned the compliment to Maresca earlier this month by expressing how the Italian speaks with him ‘every week’ and is helping to build his confidence. The 21-year-old declared that he had ‘no regrets’ about leaving Man United and believes Chelsea can help him to ‘show people the player I am’.
Garnacho will have a further cause to push to make the position on Chelsea’s left wing his own with the World Cup on the horizon.
The 21-year-old faces an uphill battle to force his way into Argentina’s World Cup squad ahead of their title defence in the United States, Canada and Mexico last summer.
Garnacho had been frustrated after missing out on their squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when his impressive form as an 18-year-old at Man United had not been enough earn inclusion at the last minute.
With his Man United career having hit the buffers last season, Garnacho’s last appearance for the national team came in November 2024.
If Garnacho is to avoid missing out on a second consecutive World Cup, continued progress at Chelsea and grabbing headlines – of the right kind – will be essential.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as one of the headline performers at the opening concert of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Naija News reports that CAF disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the highly anticipated concert will usher in the continental football fiesta scheduled to kick off in Morocco on Saturday.
According to the football governing body, Davido will share the stage with global hip-hop star French Montana, Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and fast-rising artiste Says’z.
Announcing the line-up, CAF said, “The Confederation of African Football has officially announced the artists set to headline the opening concert of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Rabat.”
CAF described the selection of performers as a reflection of the tournament’s cultural diversity and global appeal.
“Global hip-hop star French Montana and Nigerian Afrobeats icon Davido will lead an exciting international line-up, joined by Moroccan sensation Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and rising artist Says’z,” the statement read.
It added that the blend of African and international acts underscores AFCON’s celebration of African culture, music and global influence.
The opening concert, which will take place in Rabat, is scheduled for Saturday, a day before the first ball of the tournament is kicked.
CAF said the event is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a memorable edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The opening concert is scheduled for Saturday, just a day before the tournament kicks off, setting the tone for what is expected to be an unforgettable AFCON in Morocco,” CAF stated.
With the countdown already on, CAF noted that excitement is building among football and music lovers across the continent.
“Fans in Rabat and across Africa are eagerly counting down to a night where football and music unite on a grand stage,” the statement concluded.
The 2025 AFCON is expected to draw millions of viewers worldwide, blending Africa’s rich football heritage with world-class entertainment.
SPORT
ASHES BREAKFAST: England’s bowling doesn’t cut it, Ben Stokes is a fan just like us and it’s time to start calling this star one of his side’s best
England’s day started well but got worse. A hundred partnership between Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer helped bring England to within 85 runs of Australia’s first innings score and restored faint hope of salvaging the third Test.
Archer made his first Test half century but Stokes was clean bowled for 83 by Mitchell Starc and England were all out for 286. It was, at least, a recovery from the humiliation that appeared to be their fate after their batting performance on Thursday.
But, after England had reduced Australia to 53-2, they were unable to sustain their momentum and Travis Head, their conqueror in the first Test in Perth, began to take the game away from them again here with some characteristic power hitting.
The highest successful fourth innings run chase achieved at the Adelaide Oval is 315 by Australia in 1902. England will almost certainly have to better that if Australia are not to retain the Ashes.
One of us
Stokes and Archer made a promising start on Friday morning but when Stokes was out for 83, having helped bring England to within 100 runs of Australia’s first innings total, he leapt in the air in anger and frustration and kicked out at the ground, swishing his bat furiously.
In that moment, Stokes was all of us. It was an image that neatly encapsulated England’s series so far.
Ben Stokes struggled to hide his frustration in a representation of every England fans watching
Bowling not up to standard
England created illusions of hope early on Friday but former bowlers were united about the failing that allowed Australia to move into a dominant position by midway into the final session.
No pressure, said the great Glenn McGrath. No pressure, said Jonathan Agnew. When England reduced Australia to 53-2, they had an opportunity to build momentum. Instead, neither Stokes nor Archer were able to bowl and England were reduced to trying to remove new batter Usman Khawaja with part-time spinner Will Jacks.
It looked forlorn. When Khawaja hit 11 off Jacks in the first over after tea, it looked even more forlorn.
Tough Australians
Weak men? It’s harsh to call professional cricketers that. Stokes suggested there were some among England’s number after defeat in Brisbane and I did it on Thursday as the Ashes seemed to slip away from England.
But maybe it’s more accurate to say they have been made to look weak by the discipline and the toughness of the Australians. That Australian bowling performance on Thursday, in a stadium that was like a furnace, looks more and more impressive with every hour that passes.
Australia’s bowling performance on Thursday looks better with every hour that passes
They pulled us back in
After the misery of Thursday, landmarks of faint hope came at regular intervals on Friday morning.
Stokes reached his half century, England moved past 250, Stokes and Archer brought up their century partnership and Archer reached 50, too. Cricket can toy with you like that.
Archer one of the best
Jofra Archer has been the outstanding player of this third Test. Stokes asked for his players to step up after Brisbane and Archer has done exactly that.
His bowling was magnificent in the Australian first innings and he reached his maiden Test half century on Friday morning. It’s probably time to stop reaching for words such as ‘enigmatic’ and ‘moody’ to describe his contributions to this England team.
It’s enough to say he and Joe Root are our best players.
Its time to start talking about Jofra Archer as one of England’s best players – he has proved it
Bumble back?
Ricky Ponting, one of the greatest Australian batters, was 51 years old on Friday. He was presented with a cake next to the boundary rope by the broadcaster he works for.
Reliable sources tell me it was actually a series of cup cakes. David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd was one of those happily tucking in. Bumble is back on television screens here, which is, hopefully, a prelude to his return to mainstream broadcasting in the UK. He should never have been ‘disappeared’ in the first place.
A true great
Ian Botham brought back memories of happier Ashes series for England when he was asked to ring the ceremonial bell before the start of play at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Botham has an Ashes series named after him and is one of a select few modern England cricketers to have won an Ashes series Down Under in 1986-87.
Botham is revered as one of the greats of the game in Australia and was given a rousing round of applause.
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ASHES BREAKFAST: England’s bowling doesn’t cut it, Ben Stokes is a fan just like us and it’s time to start calling this star one of his side’s best
Afrobeats superstar Davido will be one of the headline performers at the official kick-off concert of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.
Other artistes lined up to perform at the event are French Montana, Douaa Lahyaoui, Says’z, and Lartiste.
The concert will take place at the Olm Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat on Saturday.
It will be open to fans who have Fan IDs and match tickets.
DAILY POST recalls Davido also performed at AFCON 2017 opening ceremony, the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw held in Doha, and the 2023 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) awards.
The AFCON 2025 finals will start on Saturday with opening game between hosts Morocco and Comoros at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
Few tournaments test a nation’s footballing soul like the Africa Cup of Nations. It is never just about tactics, form or star power; it is about identity, belief, pressure and timing. As the Super Eagles of Nigeria head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they do so burdened by recent disappointments, energised by undeniable talent and haunted by familiar administrative questions in search of their fourth continental title, writes TUNDE LIADI
The Super Eagles’ journey to Morocco is unlike most in Nigeria’s AFCON history. Traditionally, Nigeria travel as loud favourites or confident challengers. This time, expectations are unusually muted. Back-to-back failures to qualify for the FIFA World Cup have bruised national pride, while administrative controversies and insufficient preparation have dampened optimism.
Yet, Nigeria remain Africa’s most naturally gifted football nation. Three AFCON titles (1980, 1994, 2013), seven final appearances, and a conveyor belt of elite footballers ensure the Super Eagles are never far from the conversation. AFCON 2025 is therefore not just another tournament — it is an attempt to reset Nigeria’s football narrative.
Former captain John Obi Mikel did not mince words when assessing Nigeria’s build-up. Calling the situation “unacceptable” and “embarrassing,” Mikel’s criticism cuts to the heart of Nigeria’s recurring problem — governance.
His frustration over reports of unpaid salaries owed to head coach Eric Chelle reflects a deeper issue: instability off the pitch often spills onto it. For Mikel, AFCON should have been an opportunity for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to rebuild trust after recent failures. Instead, he fears history is repeating itself.
“When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone — the coach, the players, and even the fans,” Mikel warned. Still, he remained emphatic that the players must rise above the chaos. His message is both indictment and rallying cry: Nigeria deserve better, but the shirt still demands sacrifice.
If Mikel addressed administration, Sunday Oliseh tackled psychology. His verdict was blunt: Africa no longer fears Nigeria.
Failure to qualify for the World Cup, Oliseh argues, has emboldened opponents. The Super Eagles are no longer the intimidating force of old; they are now a scalp teams believe they can claim. At AFCON, that perception matters. Every group opponent will raise their level against Nigeria.
Yet Oliseh also sees opportunity. A strong start, particularly in the opening group game against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, could flip the narrative instantly. Discipline, tactical clarity and mental sharpness — not reputation — will decide Nigeria’s fate.
According to Opta’s supercomputer, Nigeria are ranked fifth favourites with a 7.3 per cent chance of winning AFCON 2025. Morocco (19.1%), Egypt, Senegal and Algeria all sit above them.
The data reflects both respect and doubt. Opta acknowledged Nigeria’s explosive attack, led by Victor Osimhen, but flags defensive absences, a demanding group and uncertainty under a new coach as complicating factors.
History supports the caution. AFCON is notoriously unpredictable. Favourites stumble, outsiders rise, and momentum often outweighs pedigree. Nigeria know this better than most.
Beyond probabilities, Nigeria arrive in Morocco with powerful motivations.
At AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria came within touching distance of glory, only to fall in the final to the hosts. That campaign, steady rather than spectacular, proved the Super Eagles could still navigate tournament football effectively. Under Eric Chelle, there is belief that extra step can now be taken.
Missing the 2026 World Cup — potentially for the second consecutive time — is a scar that will not fade easily. An AFCON triumph cannot erase that pain, but it can soften it. Victory in Morocco would restore pride and belief in Nigerian football.
This is arguably Nigeria’s most gifted generation since the mid-1990s. Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, two of Africa’s recent Footballers of the Year, headline a squad in its prime, averaging just over 27 years of age. Opportunities like this do not linger forever.
Another AFCON title would draw Nigeria level with Ghana on four continental crowns, adding fresh fuel to one of Africa’s fiercest rivalries and reinforcing Nigeria’s standing among the continent’s elite.
Nigeria’s group — Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania — is deceptively tricky.
Tunisia bring organisation and tournament nous. Uganda and Tanzania arrive fearless, aware that Nigeria’s aura has dimmed. Oliseh’s warning resonates here: no game will be straightforward.
Meanwhile, Eric Chelle’s squad selection underlines a quiet rebuild. Five new players — youthful, hungry, largely untested — signal a long-term vision, even if AFCON is a brutal place for experiments.
The inclusion of players like Ryan Alebiosu, Salim Fago Lawal, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi injects energy and freshness. Akinsanmiro’s personal story — from quitting football to learning barbing before earning an Inter Milan move — captures the hunger Chelle appears to value.
Yet questions remain. The absence of Maduka Okoye, injury concerns around Stanley Nwabali, and lingering distrust of Francis Uzoho leave uncertainty in goal. William Troost-Ekong’s retirement and Ola Aina’s absence further thin leadership at the back.
Chelle’s message, however, is clear: productivity earns selection. Paul Onuachu’s resurgence in Turkey and Akor Adams’ efficiency underline a merit-based approach.
Perhaps Nigeria’s greatest advantage is psychological. Rarely have expectations been this low. Fans speak more of quarterfinal exits than silverware. That underdog status could free the Super Eagles from suffocating pressure — or expose lingering fragility.
Former goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim believes unity is key. Drawing from the 2013 triumph, he insists that talent and experience are present, but support and belief must follow.
“A friendly game is always a friendly game,” Agbim said after the loss to Egypt. “At AFCON, the real mentality will come into play.”
Players echoed that sentiment. Paul Onuachu and Chidozie Awaziem both highlighted tactical progress and dominance despite defeat. These are small signs, but in tournament football, small signs matter.
Victor Ikpeba perhaps summarised Nigeria’s AFCON reality best. “The biggest threat to winning AFCON is ourselves,” he said.
He rates Nigeria among the favourites alongside Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon, but warns that pressure, expectation and internal instability have undone Nigeria before. AFCON is unforgiving; only focus survives.
Ikpeba’s belief that Egypt and Algeria may fall short underscores AFCON’s unpredictability. Talent must align with mentality.
Morocco 2025: Super Eagles schedule
Dec 23- Nigeria vs. Tanzania: A must-win opener to set the tone for a strong start
Dec 27-Nigeria vs. Tunisia: A repeat of the 16th Round clash in 2021 and result could be the group’s decider.
Dec 30: Uganda vs. Nigeria: Potential banana skin if qualification is not already secured.