Nickname: The Super Eagles
Fifa rank: 38
Afcon Group: C
Head coach: Eric Chelle
Group Stage fixtures: Tanzania [Dec 23], Tunisia [Dec 27], Uganda [Dec 30]
Afcon appearances: 21 [1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025]
Best Afcon performance: Champions [1980, 1994, 2013]
How they qualified: Nigeria topped Group D, which included Benin, Rwanda (same opponents in the World Cup Qualifiers) and Libya, but were fortunate to be awarded 3 points and goals for the away trip to Libya.
They were stranded at the airport for over 12 hours and later refused to play, with Caf ruling in their favour.
Those three points made the difference; both Benin and Rwanda finished on 8 points, while the three-time champions amassed 11.
In fact, Amavubi even beat the Super Eagles in Nigeria, their only defeat.
Realistic chance at Afcon 2025: Following their failure to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, only winning the Afcon in Morocco will make up for that.
They have a star-studded team, especially with the front line that can beat any side on the continent but first, they should qualify from a tricky group.
Beaten in the final at the last edition by hosts Ivory Coast, they will want to go a step further.
Who is the star of the team? They have one of the best squads on the continent but the star man is Victor Osimhen.
When he is on fire, the whole Super Eagles team is on fire and Eric Chelle will hope he keeps fit through the tournament if they are to stand a chance.
Osimhen is not only lethal but a workaholic whose attitude and character is one of a winner.
FULL NIGERIA SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
- Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
- Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)
Defenders
- Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
- Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
- Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
- Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France)
- Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal)
- Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders
- Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
- Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
- Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
- Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy)
- Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)
Forwards
- Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
- Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
- Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
- Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England)
- Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
- Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
- Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece)
- Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961, Croatia)