Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi says Nigeria has the quality and depth needed to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when the tournament kicks off in Morocco later this month, SportPremi reports.
The Super Eagles reached the final of the last edition in Ivory Coast and despite taking the lead in the first half, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the host nation.
Iwobi, 29, featured in that edition and is widely expected to be among the first names on Nigeria’s squad list for the tournament in Morocco later this month.
He also won bronze at the 2019 edition in Egypt, helping the Super Eagles to a 1-0 win over Tunisia in the third-placed match.
The three-time African champions will also hope to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, after their defeat in the CAF playoff final last month.
- Read this: Alex Iwobi reacts to Nigeria’s World Cup disappointment
- Eric Chelle names 54-man Provisional Squad for Nigeria ahead of AFCON 2025
Eric Chelle’s men suffered an agonizing penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending their chances of reaching next year’s showpiece tournament.
Meanwhile, DR Congo head to the intercontinental playoff rounds, where they will face the winner of the clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
Iwobi eyes AFCON title
Alex Iwobi is expected to make Nigeria’s squad for the African Cup of Nations in Morocco later this month – his fourth AFCON tournament.
The playmaker made his 304th appearance in the English Premier League last weekend, when he featured for Fulham in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur and is confident of his side’s chances at the tournament.
“Yes, of course, the last AFCON, we were really close, but the only way we can improve from the last AFCON is to win the next one”, Iwobi confidently said.
“We’ve got the players to do so, we believe so, we just have to prove it.
“I’ll like to speak into existence, I want to manifest, so I’d like to say Nigeria will win it.”
Can Nigeria win the 2025 AFCON tournament?
Nigeria head into the tournament as one of the favorites alongside the likes of Senegal, Morocco and defending champions Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles team is hugely stacked with quality from defence to attack, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Ola Aina among the best footballers on the continent.
However, the three-time champions have been dealt a major blow with the absence of young defender Benjamin Fredrick, who will miss out after suffering a knee injury.
The defender has delivered impressive defensive displays since making his debut, but will not be available for selection at the continental tournament.
Nigeria reached the finals of the last edition and will hope to overcome the disappointment of that edition this time around.
The Super Eagles will compete in group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament scheduled to kickoff on the 21st of this month.
