Can the Super Eagles lift the AFCON 2025 trophy? Alex Iwobi has his say


Super Eagles and Fulham attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed he has hopes of Nigeria lifting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.

Barring any injuries, the Arsenal Hale End Academy Graduate will feature in his fourth AFCON tournament in about three weeks in Morocco.

Iwobi won the bronze medal with Nigeria in Egypt, 2019, and while the 2021 edition was one to forget, the former Everton man was a crucial part of the team that secured a silver medal in Ivory Coast last year.

Alex Iwobi in action for the Super Eagles. [Photo Credit/ Soccernet Nigeria].

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Iwobi eyes AFCON 2025 victory

The AFCON trophy is currently on a European tour, as CAF look to bring an awareness of the cultural history of the tournament to European grounds.

The diaspora tour took off in London. Iwobi, alongside former Arsenal midfielder – Alex Song, Ghanaian musician – Stonebwoy, and Nigerian Afrobeats Superstar – Odumodublvck.

Just before the event started, the one-time FA Cup winner engaged in a conversation with AY Suga, revealing he hopes Nigeria wins the next AFCON title in Morocco.

Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina of Nigeria during a training section in preparation for the 2025 AFCON qualifier match between Nigeria and Libya
Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina of Nigeria during a training session in preparation for the 2025 AFCON qualifier match between Nigeria and Libya at Godwill Akpabio Stadium on October 8, 2024, in Uyo, Nigeria. Photo by ImagoxVictor Ihechi.

“Yes, of course, the last AFCON, we were really close, but the only way we can improve from the last AFCON is to win the next one.

“We’ve got the players to do so, we believe so, we just have to prove it.

“I’ll like to speak into existence, I want to manifest, so I’d like to say Nigeria will win it,” the 91-cap Super Eagles star said.

Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, during the Afcon 2023 match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at Stade D Ebimpe on January 14, 2024, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Nigeria have been drawn into AFCON 2025 Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda. They kick off their campaign by facing Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fez, Morocco.

Can the Super Eagles win the AFCON?

Based on FIFA Power rankings and AI predictions, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Morocco are leading candidates to secure the trophy.

However, AFCON has never been a tournament that yields to algorithms. While Nigeria boasts of arguably the most lethal attack across the continent, the midfield and defence pale in comparison.

With Ola Aina in doubt and Benjamin Frederick ruled out of the tournament, the task is even harder than that of 2023.

Meanwhile, Frank Onyeka, who is a regular for the Nigerian National team, has played just 88 minutes for Brentford.

Frank Onyeka of Nigeria during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Benin Republic at Godwill Akpabio Stadium on October 14, 2025 in Uyo, Nigeria
Frank Onyeka of Nigeria during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Benin Republic at Godwill Akpabio Stadium on October 14, 2025, in Uyo, Nigeria. Photo by ImagoxNsidibe Akpan

Christantus Uche, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Samuel Chukwueze have all struggled to nail down regular minutes for their club side.

This could surface as a lack of fitness in a very physically exhausting tournament like the AFCON, but the experience from the senior players in the squad could make up for that.

Still, the three-time African champions have their work cut out if they intend to add a fourth title at the start of next year.





Source: Soccernet

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