Salomon Kalou believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles have the firepower, balance and belief to go one step further at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, naming four players he says could define their title challenge in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward, who won the AFCON in 2015, has tipped Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze as the core of a Nigerian side he considers one of the favourites for the tournament.
Nigeria finished runners-up at the 2023 AFCON, losing narrowly to hosts Ivory Coast in the final, and head coach Eric Chelle has been tasked with equalling or surpassing that achievement at the 35th edition of the competition.
The Malian tactician has named a 28-man squad for the campaign, with the entire group departing for Morocco today from their camp base in Cairo, Egypt. The squad blends established internationals with a number of recent call-ups, including players who made their senior debuts in a friendly against Egypt this week.
Despite that mix, Kalou believes Nigeria’s spine gives them a clear edge over many of their rivals.
Writing in his weekly blog via the Tribuna, he said: “Nigeria look very strong this year. With Victor Osimhen leading the line, they have one of the most feared strikers in world football.
“Add in the pace and creativity of Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, plus Wilfred Ndidi’s stability in midfield, and you see a team with balance and depth. Nigeria were runners-up last time, and with this mix of stars they’ll believe they can go all the way.”
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Super Eagles, Morocco, Senegal and Egypt in the frame
While praising Nigeria’s credentials, Kalou was careful to acknowledge the scale of the challenge awaiting Chelle’s side in Morocco, where the hosts will be driven by home support and expectation.
He described the Atlas Lions as a formidable opponent on familiar ground and placed them firmly among the leading contenders, alongside Senegal and Egypt.
Kalou wrote: “Senegal and Egypt also have to be mentioned.
“Senegal’s squad is full of quality, with Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly still leading the way, while Egypt remain dangerous thanks to Mohamed Salah’s ability to decide matches on his own. Both nations have the pedigree to reach the knockout rounds and cause problems for anyone they face.
“For me, those are the teams most likely to be battling it out in the latter stages, but I do think Ivory Coast or Nigeria are the ones I’d put my money on.”
For Nigeria, the sense of unfinished business from 2023 remains strong. Twelve years have passed since the Super Eagles last lifted the AFCON trophy in South Africa in 2013, when they defied expectations to claim continental glory.
History, however, offers encouragement. Nigeria have won the AFCON on North African soil before, triumphing at the 1994 tournament in Tunisia.
