The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn into Group C for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following the ceremony held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday. The highlight of the group is a showdown between Nigeria and Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, reigniting a long-standing rivalry.
Tunisia, champions on home soil in 2004, eliminated Nigeria in the semi-finals that year before defeating Morocco in the final. More recently, they knocked out Nigeria in the Round of 16 during AFCON 2021 in Cameroon. However, Nigeria boasts victories as well, including a 4-2 win over Tunisia on their way to the 2000 AFCON final in Lagos.
While Nigeria and Tunisia are the group’s favorites, East African sides Tanzania and Uganda are expected to provide stiff competition as they vie for the two automatic qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Group A features host nation Morocco alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Group B is packed with contenders, including Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
In Group D, 2021 champions Senegal will face DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana, while Group E pits Algeria against Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. Defending champions Ivory Coast will look to retain their title in Group F, where they are drawn against Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique.
As the countdown begins for the tournament, scheduled for December in Morocco, Nigerian fans are hopeful the Super Eagles can build on their runner-up finish in 2023, where they narrowly lost to Ivory Coast.
Eric Chelle, the newly appointed head coach of the Super Eagles, was present at the draw and will aim to join the ranks of Otto Gloria, Clemens Westerhof, and Stephen Keshi, who have previously led Nigeria to AFCON glory.
CAF President Patrick Motsepe expressed high expectations for the tournament. “I am extremely excited about the AFCON in Morocco — it is going to be the most successful yet. Ivory Coast raised the bar last year, and now we must reach even greater heights,” he said.
Originally scheduled for mid-2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid clashing with the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Motsepe reassured fans, saying, “The new dates will not affect the tournament. Africa boasts many exceptionally talented footballers, and all of them will be in Morocco.”
The stage is set for an exciting tournament as Africa’s finest teams and players prepare to battle for continental glory.
