BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Following Monday’s official draw for the 35th African Nations Cup tournament held in Rabat, Morocco, former captain of Nigeria’s National team, Joseph Yobo, has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching their fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament.
He spoke against the backdrop of the Super Eagles being drawn into Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, as well as the East African duo of Uganda, and Tanzania, co-hosts of the 2027 tournament.
Yobo, who was among the African legends Mustapha Hadji, Serge Aurier, and Aliou Cisse, who assisted at the AFCON Morocco 2025 Final Draw that took place at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat on Monday, 27 January, is optimistic about the team’s prospects come December this year.
The former Everton defender and a key figure in the Super Eagles’s last AFCON triumph in 2013, while reflecting on the group and Nigeria’s historical pedigree, said; “We have a good young crop and a new generation of players that have been together for a long time, so I don’t think that understanding is a problem for them
“Looking at the group, it’s never going to be easy for us, but knowing the Super Eagles, coming out of the group is never a problem.”
Yobo said it is important for the team to focus on not just progressing through the group stage but also on securing the ultimate prize, adding; “I hope that we start very well and we can take that momentum to the final.
“We are building on our last performance at AFCON 2023, and it’s about time we get our hands on the trophy again. I think we have the players and a wonderful new coach to do that.”
However, Yobo remained confident, highlighting Nigeria’s depth and the recent improvements under their new coach.
According to him; “We do have a very good team, the players are improving. It’s all about carrying that energy from the group stages and keeping the momentum”.
AFCON 2025 is scheduled from 21st December 2025 to 18th January 2026 and promises thrilling encounters with 24 nations vying for glory in Morocco.
The Super Eagles are heading into this year’s tournament with a storied AFCON history, boasting 16 medals from 20 appearances, including three titles (1980, 1994, and 2013), five runner-up finishes, and eight bronze medals. Painfully, the team narrowly missed adding a fourth star in 2023 by falling 1-2 to the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire in the final.
For the December football carnival, the Carthage Lions of Tunisia, the most decorated opponent in Group C after Nigeria, will pose a significant challenge. The North Africans famously knocked out the Super Eagles in the 2021 Round of 16 and have one AFCON title from their 21 appearances at the continental championship.
On their part, Uganda, making their eighth appearance, and Tanzania, featuring for only the fourth time, will aim to upset the odds.
