Following Monday’s draw in Rabat, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of earning a fourth African title at the 2025 AFCON.
Three-time African champions Nigeria were drawn in Group C of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, alongside Tunisia and two of the 2027 edition’s co-hosts, Uganda and Tanzania.
Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the last edition in Ivory Coast believes the team has all it takes to ‘go all the way’ in Morocco after finishing second last year.
“AFCON 2025 draw is now over, very exciting to see the group. Three teams that need to be respected,” Ekong said.
“I think we have the experience now to know how to handle the situations, there’s no such thing as an easy game in Africa. I stand by that but I believe we have everything to come out of this group and this time, go all the way.”
By the time the tournament will be played in December, the team will be under a new gaffer, Franco-Malian Eric Chelle, who took over earlier this year and the Saudi-based defender also believes that they have enough time to get used to him.
“We learnt a lot of things from Abidjan last year and this time we will be more ready and we are working hard throughout the year to make sure everyone is fit and ready and get going under the new coach.”
At the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, Ekong scored three goals at the tournament, including one in the final, which unfortunately wasn’t enough to guide Nigeria to a fourth AFCON title.
Their journey to the elusive third title will begin against Tanzania on December 23 at the Fez Stadium in Fez.
Four days later, they will face Tunisia at the same venue, before taking on Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.
Nigeria are the most successful team in the group, having won the tournament three times and going for their 21st appearance in Morocco. Uganda will be competing in their eighth tournament while Tanzania have only featured three times.
Tunisia, the most familiar of the opponents, who dumped Nigeria out in the round of 16 of the 2021 tournament in Cameroon have won the tournament once – on home soil in 2024 – in their 21 appearances at the continental showpiece.
The tournament will run from December 21 to January 18, 2026.
