Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has urged Nigeria to stay cautious ahead of their group-stage battles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Soccernet.ng reports.
The draw, held earlier this week in Rabat, Morocco, placed Nigeria in Group C alongside former champions Tunisia, as well as Tanzania and Uganda.
As three-time winners and runners-up at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria are widely seen as strong contenders for the title in Morocco.
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However, Yobo, who captained the Super Eagles to their last AFCON triumph in 2013, has warned that the first hurdle will be navigating a potentially tricky group stage.
Nigeria will kick off their campaign against Tanzania on December 23, followed by a key clash against Tunisia four days later. They will then wrap up their group-stage adventure against Uganda on December 30 at Fez Stadium, where all their group games will be played.
Former Marseille and Everton defender Yobo believes the Super Eagles must hit the ground running to avoid unnecessary pressure in Morocco.
“A good start is very important. The first two games are very important. It is very, very crucial,” Yobo told ESPN.
While Yobo acknowledges that Tunisia will be Nigeria’s toughest test, he insists Uganda and Tanzania cannot be overlooked.
“But the Tunisia game could be the one that decides group winners, so if we can take six points from the other two, we don’t want to chase Tunisia.
“That is obviously a big game. They are an experienced side, always frequent at the AFCON. We are used to them, we have played them many times, even during my own time, and they are used to us as well. So it's going to be a big clash. It's the biggest game in our group.
“That being said, you have Uganda and Tanzania. On paper, they might be the underdogs, but we saw at the last AFCON—underdogs were pulling surprises.”
Nigeria have failed to progress from the AFCON group stages only twice — on their tournament debut in 1963 and as defending champions at Libya 1982.
