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Former Super Eagles winger Tijani Babangida believes that winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could help make up for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles missed out on a World Cup berth after losing 4-3 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoff final last month. With that disappointment behind them, Eric Chelle’s side are now focused on claiming a fourth AFCON title in Morocco.
Babangida said that winning the tournament would go a long way in appeasing fans. “After the unfortunate experience of missing the FIFA World Cup again, it is still very painful to digest this reality,” he told Tribal Football.
“However, the next target is the AFCON tournament, which can be used to redeem the image of Nigerian football. For the NFF, the players, and all football stakeholders, the focus now is the AFCON. We have to do everything possible to win it.
“The tournament will not be easy. All the major African teams that qualified for the 2026 World Cup are also participating, but the Super Eagles may surprise the world and go all the way. I believe the team can bring the Cup back to Nigeria after more than 12 years. I see Nigeria reaching at least the final, and anything can happen in a cup final. In the last edition, the Super Eagles reached the final but lost 2-1 to Côte d’Ivoire.”
The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Nigeria will open their campaign against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Fez on Tuesday, 23 December.
