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The AFCON 2025 we highly anticipated officially started yesterday, and it promises to be an exciting one. Scenes from the opening ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, and the football itself show that there is plenty of quality and many enthralling moments ahead.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick-start their own campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday night at the Complexe Sportif in the city of Fes.
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They had their second training session last night, which was open to the media, and they will also have another training session later today.
The body language of the players looked high, and any disappointment from failing to qualify for the World Cup does not seem to be holding them down, as they appear focused.
For Nigeria, the one thing the players would not want to do right now is start in a disappointing way when they play against Tanzania.
The game, on paper, looks straightforward, but if there is one thing the team has shown in recent times, it is that they do not want it the straightforward way.
Ahead of the game against Tanzania, I have three picks of players whom I feel would be decisive for the Super Eagles getting a win.
First is the goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali. Nwabali has not been the most loved player among many Nigerians in recent times, especially compared to the reception he received when he arrived at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.
He came in at a moment when Nigeria’s goalkeeping department was in crisis, and the then coach, José Peseiro, had to make a last-minute decision to bring him into the team. That trust paid off. Nwabali was crucial to the success Nigeria enjoyed at the 2023 AFCON. In recent times, however, he perhaps no longer inspires confidence at the highest level.
There have even been suggestions linking some of his recent attitudes to the loss of his parents, with calls in some quarters for him to be dropped as the starter.
But I do feel Nwabali may simply be experiencing a few blips, and it has not yet reached the point where he should be dropped.
Against Tanzania is another opportunity to prove many wrong. Whatever happens on the defensive side for Nigeria will have Stanley Nwabali as a crucial part of it, how he marshals the defence, coordinates them, and ensures that when Nigeria drops into their defensive shape, everyone is in the right positions. He needs to do it well, and in a way that does not come across as an attack on his teammates.
Next is Calvin Bassey. Troost-Ekong retired a few days before the AFCON, and the most loved defender by Nigerian fans at the moment, Benjamin Fredrick, who had been superb at the back for Nigeria, got injured shortly before the tournament. All of this has left many Nigerians and their faith in the team on edge.
With these players out, the sole responsibility now lies on Bassey as the defensive leader. He has to ensure that whoever partners with him gives 100% alongside himself, while also making sure the full-backs understand they need to be efficient and fully focused whenever it is time to do their job individually on the pitch. There is very little room for mistakes.
The final one is Akor Adams. One positive for him is that he has settled into the team. For someone who recently joined, he has scored a few goals and made a good impact. That’s exactly what you want as a player, to settle in quickly and become a crucial part of whatever the team intends to achieve.
Adams will also be crucial in the game against Tanzania, particularly given the heavy reliance on Victor Osimhen. If Adams can establish himself as the player who can drive the attack even when the main charge isn’t coming from Osimhen, it will help the team and keep opponents on edge.
Nigeria is at AFCON 2025. The mantra is clear, “ let’s do it again, Naija for the win. “ The time is now, and it starts with Tanzania.
Can they lift the trophy this time? All hands on deck.
