Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sylvanus Okpala, has revealed what the Nigerian team need to emerge victorious during the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Okpala donned the green and white colours of the Super Eagles between 1979–1988 and was an assistant manager when Nigeria lifted the AFCON 2013 trophy under Stephen Keshi.
The three-time AFCON Champions have been drawn into Group C alongside Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia ahead of the AFCON 2025 showdown in Morocco, and the 63-year-old revealed what Eric Chelle's men must do to avoid the mistake they made in Ivory Coast last year.
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“If you want to win AFCON, you have to win all your matches, no matter who is in your group or who you face next. The Tunisians, we know them well. Uganda and Tanzania are also teams to fear. The most important thing is that we have to win all matches, no matter who we are playing,” Okpala said in quotes revealed by Brila.
Nigeria have a historical advantage over their opponents in Group C. The Super Eagles have won the prestigious trophy three times, while Tunisia have won it just once.
Uganda and Tanzania are yet to win an AFCON. While Eric Chelle's men are in an advantageous position, other teams will be out with a point to prove.
“We are a strong team, and now we need to focus on World Cup qualification. After that, in October, we can think about what comes next, but now, we need to be focused on one goal, and the goal is the next game against Rwanda,” the former Mali head coach said in an interview with NFF Media.
Nigeria have three points from their opening four games and are without a win, drawing three games and losing one. Their journey to make amends starts during the March International break.
Looking ahead, the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco kicks off on the 21st of December and will run through till January 18th, 2026.
