Joseph Yobo, a former captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and a 2013 AFCON champion, has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Speaking on Nigeria’s placement in Group C, Yobo conveyed his confidence in the team’s ability to perform strongly in the tournament.
“Absolutely, I believe Nigeria will qualify from this group,” he said. “We have a very good team.
The players have improved. I don’t want to mention names for fear of leaving someone out, but we have a strong squad, and they demonstrated that during the last AFCON.”
A call to action for Eric Chelle
Yobo also delivered a pointed message to Eric Chelle, Nigeria’s recently appointed head coach, emphasizing the urgency for the Super Eagles to reclaim continental glory.
This group is not going to be easy for us,” Yobo admitted. “But we know the Super Eagles have the capacity to qualify.
I hope we start well and advance to the final phase.
I think now is the time for us to get our hands on this magnificent trophy.
We have a great generation and a coach who is excellent.
The former Everton defender’s comments underline the growing anticipation and expectations surrounding the team, which narrowly missed out on the title during the last tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria lost 2-1 in the final to the host nation, a defeat that has intensified calls for the team to secure its first AFCON title since 2013.
High stakes for the Super Eagles
As the countdown to the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Eric Chelle and his squad to see if they can rise to the challenge.
With a rich history in African football and a strong player pool, Nigeria is once again under pressure to deliver a performance worthy of its storied reputation.
Yobo’s rallying cry serves as both motivation and a reminder of the high expectations placed on the Super Eagles as they prepare for AFCON 2025.
