THE 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), kicks off this weekend in Morocco and for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, it is a tournament laden with pressure, expectation and the need for redemption. Fresh from a shambolic outing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, an implosion that all but confirmed Nigeria’s absence from the Mundial for the second consecutive time, the Eagles arrive at AFCON carrying the bruises of failure and the hopes of a football-loving nation desperate for respite.
For many Nigerians, AFCON 2025 is more than just another continental tournament. It is an opportunity for the Super Eagles to atone for recent disappointments and to restore national pride. Memories are still fresh of last February’s painful loss in the final of the previous edition, where Nigeria surrendered a 1–0 lead to lose 2–1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire. That defeat stung deeply, not just because the trophy slipped away, but because it underlined a recurring problem: an inability to manage big moments. This time, supporters will be hoping the Eagles can go one better by lifting the trophy, partly as compensation for missing out on the World Cup stage.
However, talent alone will not deliver success in Morocco. For the Eagles to mount a credible challenge, both on-field and off-field preparations must be addressed with seriousness and sincerity. Historically, Nigeria’s national teams have often been victims of chaotic planning. Tales of poor accommodation, unpaid hotel bills, delayed allowances and bonuses have become depressingly familiar. Such distractions have repeatedly undermined performance at critical moments.
Only weeks ago, ahead of their ill-fated outing against DR Congo, the Super Eagles protested over unpaid match allowances and bonuses, even skipping training sessions in protest before going on to suffer a damaging defeat. Former captain John Mikel Obi recently added to the grim narrative, recounting how he had to bypass the then Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), leadership and contact the Presidency directly before players’ allowances were paid during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. These are embarrassing episodes that should have no place in a professionally run football system. As AFCON begins, the NFF, must ensure that every logistical and financial obligation to the team is met promptly, allowing the players and technical crew to focus solely on football.
Beyond administration, selection issues have also stirred controversy. The 28-man squad named by head coach Eric Chelle has generated furore in several quarters, with accusations of undue interference by football authorities. Such claims, whether proven or not, undermine confidence and unity. The coach must be given a free hand to select players he believes fit his philosophy and tactical plans. Trust in the technical crew is non-negotiable if Nigeria is to succeed. Reports that Chelle himself is still owed salaries are equally troubling. A coach burdened by unresolved contractual issues cannot operate with the clarity and motivation required at a tournament of this magnitude. The NFF must clear all backlogs immediately.
On the pitch, Chelle faces an equally daunting task. Tactically, the Super Eagles have been criticised for an over-reliance on talismanic striker Victor Osimhen. While Osimhen’s quality, drive and goal-scoring prowess are unquestionable, Nigeria’s struggles whenever he is absent or neutralised are glaring. A top team cannot hinge its fortunes on one player alone. Chelle must find a way to make the Eagles function effectively with or without Osimhen, ensuring alternative attacking patterns and goal threats are developed.
Nigeria’s squad is brimming with individual quality across Europe’s top leagues, yet under successive coaches, the team has struggled to achieve cohesion, balance and rhythm. The sum has too often been less than its parts. Turning a collection of stars into a well-drilled unit is Chelle’s greatest challenge. If he is to join the elite list of coaches who have led Nigeria to continental glory, he must instil tactical flexibility, discipline and collective responsibility.
AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles with a clear task: to rise above administrative failings, silence doubts through performance, and remind Africa of Nigeria’s footballing pedigree. The margin for error is slim, but the opportunity for redemption is immense. Whether the Eagles seize it will depend not just on what happens on the pitch, but on whether lessons from the past have finally been learned.
