Africa-Press – Mauritius. Last edition’s runners-up, Nigeria, will begin their quest for continental glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a Group C opener against Tanzania on Tuesday at the Fez Stadium, Morocco.
The Super Eagles arrive at AFCON 2025 determined to go one step further after falling just short in the previous tournament, where they suffered a 2–1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
That disappointment was compounded by the failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding extra significance to their AFCON campaign as they seek redemption on Africa’s biggest stage.
Nigeria seeking redemption
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification journey ended in heartbreak.
A revised CAF regulation on ranking the best runners-up, a late push to secure second place in Group C, and an emphatic extra-time victory over Gabon in the playoff semi-final briefly revived hopes.
However, those hopes were dashed after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the final playoff.
That result confirmed an unwanted milestone in Nigerian football history, as the three-time African champions missed out on the World Cup for a second consecutive cycle — something that had not happened since their debut appearance in 1994.
Redemption, therefore, feels essential for the so-called giants of African football.
Preparation for AFCON 2025 has been mixed. The Super Eagles suffered a 2–1 friendly defeat to Egypt last Tuesday, ending a largely encouraging run of seven matches, which included five victories when their extra-time success over Gabon is factored in.
Despite the slight dip in momentum, Nigeria will still be widely expected to claim all three points in their opener.
Ranked 38th on the FIFA World Rankings, the Super Eagles face a Tanzania side positioned 74 places lower, a gap that underlines the difference in pedigree and expectations between both teams.
Caution against early slip-ups
However, recent history suggests Nigeria cannot afford complacency. At the last AFCON, the Super Eagles were held to a 1–1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their opening match, despite eventually topping the group and reaching the final.
That experience serves as a reminder that opening fixtures can be tricky, regardless of rankings.
With their last continental triumph dating back to 2013, pressure remains on Nigeria to deliver.
The presence of Europe-based stars such as former CAF Players of the Year Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen — now with Galatasaray — alongside Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, only heightens expectations.
For head coach Eric Chelle and his squad, anything short of a positive start against Tanzania would be seen as a disappointment.
As AFCON 2025 kicks off, the Super Eagles will be eager to lay down an early marker and begin their redemption story with a convincing performance in Fez.
