The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in December, and Nathan Tella has sounded a clear warning to some of his Super Eagles teammates…
Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella has stated that he is targeting a place in Nigeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December, Soccernet.ng reports.
Tella got his maiden Super Eagles call-up in 2023, just months after joining Bayer Leverkusen from Burnley. He then made his debut in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers fixture against Zimbabwe in November 2023.
Unfortunately for him, he did not make Nigeria's squad to the 2023 AFCON (was held in 2024). The team, under the tutelage of Jose Peseiro, reached the final of the competition. But they lost the final to hosts Cote d'Ivoire.
Tella had to wait until this year before getting his second cap for Nigeria during the Unity Cup, earlier in June.
With his decent performances for Bayer Leverkusen, he is expected to also get a call-up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in September.
Meanwhile, Tella has a bigger target. In a new interview, he admitted that he was disappointed that he miss the 2023 AFCON.
Nonetheless, he wants to work hard to merit a place when Eric Chelle names his squad for the 2025 edition in Morocco this December.
“Because I missed out on the AFCON last year, my first aim is to be in the squad for AFCON 2025 because I saw how well the boys did, and obviously the final was unfortunate,” Tella told the Olympics.
“Seeing the boys representing my country, and our country doing really well, made me proud and that's what motivated me even more.
“To even be selected, I need to show what I can do at club level. I need to take myself to the next step because to play for Nigeria, you're not just handed the shirt.
“You have to earn it. You have work hard for it and then once you get in, it's to stay in. There's no better feeling, no bigger achievement than being able to represent your country.”
Can Nathan Tella Make Nigeria's 2025 AFCON Squad?
Nathan Tella has a good shot at making Nigeria's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Currently, Nigeria does not have many top wingers in top clubs.
The usual suspects are Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Ademola Lookman. But only Lookman has distinguished himself of the lot.
Simon and Chukwueze have been erratic for the Super Eagles. Although Tella's chances of making the team is not hinged on these players performing, he would stand a better chance of getting in if he shows that he is better than them.
This season, Tella is expected to get a lot of game time playing on the wings at Bayer Leverkusen. He has to hit the ground running and prove his quality.
