Nigeria’s Super Eagles will make their 21st appearance in the 2025 AFCON. And with arguably one of the most talented squads in Africa, the pressure on them to finally deliver has never been greater.
Having lifted the trophy three times (1980, 1994, and 2013), Nigeria will be hoping to exorcise the ghosts of past disappointments – from the heartbreak of Riyad Mahrez’s stoppage-time free-kick that ended their 2019 final dreams, to the 2023 AFCON final loss to hosts and eventual champions Côte d’Ivoire.
With a squad brimming with star quality and experience, the Super Eagles return to the tournament with unfinished business, determined to end a 12-year trophy drought and reclaim their place at the pinnacle of African football.
Reasons Why Nigeria’s Super Eagles Are Under Pressure To Perform at 2025 AFCON
1) Failure To Qualify for the World Cup
In what was a highly disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles lost their spot to DR Congo after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time, eventually falling short in the penalty shootout. The defeat meant Nigeria would miss out on back-to-back World Cups, a blow that not only disappointed fans nationwide but also intensified the pressure on the team to deliver at the 2025 AFCON.
The talent in the team is undeniable, but with questions being asked about their consistency and ability to perform on the big stage, the Super Eagles now face a tournament where every match counts, as they attempt to restore pride and prove that Africa’s most talented squad can convert potential into silverware.
2) A Star-Studded Squad Still Searching for Silverware After 12 Trophy-Less Years
For the past 12 years, it has been a series of close calls and near misses for the Super Eagles. The last time Nigeria lifted a trophy was at the 2013 AFCON, where a lone goal from Sunday Mba secured victory on the African stage. But ever since, they have come agonisingly close – finishing third in the 2019 AFCON after a 1-0 win over Tunisia in the third-place match, and falling 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 final.
This year’s competition presents the squad with a golden opportunity to finally end the trophy drought, silence the critics, and reclaim their place among Africa’s elite. With a blend of experience and young talent, the Super Eagles will be eager to turn promise into silverware and make 2025 a year to remember.
3) A Generation Running Out of Time
The Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe has announced that AFCON will be held every four years from 2028. Ever since its inception in 1968, the competition has been played every two years, but after the 2028 edition, it will switch to a four-year cycle.
That being said, the core players of the Super Eagles are growing older – stars like Victor Osimhen (turns 27 next week) Ademola Lookman (28), Alex Iwobi (29), and Wilfred Ndidi (29) are either in or approaching their prime years.
And with experienced centre-back William Troost-Ekong – who captained the Super Eagles since 2021 – announcing his retirement with Wilfred Ndidi being named as his successor, they will need to show leadership and seize the moment if Nigeria is to finally end its 12-year trophy drought.
The 2025 AFCON represents one of the last realistic opportunities for this generation to leave a lasting legacy on the continental stage. After multiple AFCON heartbreaks, there’s a growing fear that this “golden generation” could end without a major international title, increasing the urgency to deliver now.
4) Fan Patience Is Wearing Thin After Repeated Near-Misses
So many Nigerians have lost faith in the Super Eagles, believing the team no longer plays for the pride of the nation. Too many fans have given up, choosing not to offer support, as they expect disappointment once again.
This widespread scepticism adds extra pressure on the players, who must not only perform on the pitch but also win back the hearts of a demanding nation. The 2025 AFCON offers them the opportunity to restore faith, ignite national pride, and prove that they can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
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A Glimmer of Hope for Nigeria to Still Qualify for the World Cup?
Nigeria’s hope of a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been given a little boost after the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) filed a complaint to FIFA about DR Congo’s use of ineligible players for the CAF playoffs last month.
After beating the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties, the Congolese advanced into the FIFA intercontinental playoffs, where they would meet the winners of the clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica, where the victors would eventually secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
But the NFF have decided to join Cameroon, which also maid a similar complaint to FIFA, to challenge DR Congo’s use of several players with dual nationality, claiming they were not qualified to contest in the games on the basis of not being properly cleared to switch nationalities.
If found guilty of the charges, FIFA would be forced to hand out sanctions which could range from fines to match forfeiture, which could result in their disqualification from the intercontinental playoffs and the potential reinstatement of Nigeria. The final verdict, depends on the severity of the violation and FIFA’s final ruling.
Conclusion
From finishing in third places and runners-up, the Super Eagles have consistently promised progress without silverware to show for it. In a football-obsessed nation like “naija”, repeated false hopes have intensified scrutiny, making anything short of a deep run feel like failure.
In the 2025 AFCON, drama, intensity, and passion are expected to abound. Nigerians will be hoping to experience the joy and pride that have eluded them for years. And if the Super Eagles can lift the trophy, the pain of missing out on the World Cup could be softened, replaced by the euphoria of triumph and a renewed sense of national pride in a team that finally lived up to its immense potential.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Shengolpixs
Recording Date: 23.12.2025
