The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Morocco this December.
The draw ceremony, held in Morocco on Monday, has set up an exciting encounter between Nigeria and Tunisia, rekindling a long-standing rivalry. Tunisia, champions on home soil in 2004, defeated Nigeria in the semi-finals before clinching the title against Morocco. The Carthage Eagles also eliminated Nigeria in the Round of 16 at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon. However, Nigeria secured a historic 4-2 victory over Tunisia en route to the 2000 AFCON final against Cameroon in Lagos.
While Nigeria and Tunisia boast strong AFCON histories, East African teams Tanzania and Uganda will be determined to challenge for the two automatic qualification spots.
Other groups in the tournament also promise intense competition. Hosts Morocco will lead Group A alongside Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while Group B features football heavyweights Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Defending champions Ivory Coast will battle Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique in Group F, while 2021 winners Senegal face DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana in Group D.
Malian tactician Eric Chelle, recently appointed as Nigeria’s head coach, attended the draw ceremony and will be aiming to join the ranks of legendary Super Eagles managers Otto Gloria, Clemens Westerhof, and Stephen Keshi, who led Nigeria to AFCON glory.
CAF President Patrick Motsepe expressed confidence in the tournament’s success, calling it “the most successful yet” and emphasizing that Africa’s top footballing talents will be on display in Morocco.
Originally scheduled for mid-2025, the tournament was postponed to avoid a clash with the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Despite the shift, AFCON 2025 is expected to be a thrilling spectacle as teams compete for continental supremacy.
