Nigeria’s charge at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations continues to gather serious momentum. A perfect group-stage campaign against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda was followed by a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Mozambique in the Round of 16.
With goals flowing, confidence surging and belief clearly restored, former Super Eagles striker and AFCON 1994 winner Victor Ikpeba believes Nigeria have sent a clear message to the rest of the continent.
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A Dominant Night in Fes
Nigeria were simply a class above Mozambique on Monday night in Fes. Victor Osimhen’s brace set the tone, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams added further goals, and Alex Iwobi orchestrated proceedings from midfield as the Super Eagles controlled the game from start to finish.
Ikpeba admitted he expected a tougher test from Mozambique, but said Nigeria’s quality quickly told.
“It looks very easy for our boys. I thought Mozambique would give us some difficulties, but I knew we were definitely the much better side.”
That superiority was evident early, as Eric Chelle restored his strongest XI after wholesale changes against Uganda. Nigeria raced into a two-goal lead inside 25 minutes and never looked back.
“We Are the Team to Beat Now”
For Ikpeba, Nigeria’s biggest transformation has been in attack. After struggling to convert chances during World Cup qualification, the Super Eagles now look relentless going forward.
“It’s great for the confidence of the team. It’s looking like we are the team to beat in this tournament now because we can score goals, and this is very, very positive.”
Nigeria have now scored 12 goals in four matches, equalling their best-ever goal tally at a single AFCON. Under Chelle, they have scored two or more goals in nine of their last 16 matches – a clear shift from the more cautious approach seen under previous managers.
Momentum Shift
Ikpeba pointed to momentum as the key difference between Nigeria’s AFCON form and their struggles in World Cup qualifying.
“During the World Cup qualifiers we did struggle to click and score goals, but the boys are really in the groove and they’re really doing well.”
“There’s a combination of a lot of things why it didn’t work out in World Cup qualifying. We were playing catch up, more pressure was on the team, and the playoff came and went.”
At AFCON, the pressure has been replaced by belief. Nigeria are playing with freedom, confidence and clarity of purpose – qualities that were missing when qualification hopes slipped away.
Chelle’s Influence
Ikpeba was emphatic in his praise for Eric Chelle, who took over the Super Eagles at a low point in both form and confidence.
“I think so much of that is down to Eric Chelle. The manager has done a tremendous job.”
“He took over the team when the team was really down low in form and belief, and he has worked his way up and created something managers have not been able to create in recent times.”
“There was lots of criticism coming about his appointment as manager, but the statistics don’t lie.”
A United Team
Beyond tactics and goals, Ikpeba highlighted something deeper: unity and collective responsibility.
“Credit also has to go to the players. They’ve come together as a team, which is very important when you have setbacks in football.”
“They’re doing their part for Nigerians, and it’s so beautiful to see them play – playing with swagger, with confidence, and creating chances from everywhere.”
With Nigeria now preparing for a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Algeria, belief is spreading fast. If momentum continues, Ikpeba’s verdict may soon look prophetic: Nigeria are no longer outsiders or hopefuls. They are, quite simply, the team everyone wants to avoid.
Nigeria vs Algeria takes centre stage on Saturday. Back the Super Eagles with Bet9ja!
