Eagles will be ready for AFCON 2025 – Ekong

• Published On: 30 January 2025 at 06:06

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has talked up Nigeria's prospect of winning a fourth African title at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, following the draw on Monday in Rabat.

Three-time African champions Nigeria were drawn in Group C of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, alongside Tunisia and two of the 2027 edition's co-hosts, Uganda and Tanzania.

Troost-Ekong, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the previous edition in Ivory Coast, believes the team has everything it needs to 'go all the way' in Morocco after finishing second last year.

"The AFCON 2025 draw is now complete; it's very exciting to see the group. "Three teams must be respected," Ekong said.



"I believe we now have enough experience to know how to handle situations; there is no such thing as an easy game in Africa." I stand by that, but I believe we have everything we need to emerge from this group and win this time."

By the time the tournament begins in December, the team will be led by new coach Franco-Malian Eric Chelle, who took over earlier this year, and the Saudi-based defender believes they will have enough time to adjust to him.

"We learnt a lot of things from Abidjan last year and this time we will be more ready and we are working hard throughout the year to make sure everyone is fit and ready and get going under the new coach."


Ekong scored three goals at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, including one in the final, but it wasn't enough to lead Nigeria to their fourth title.

Their quest for a third title will begin against Tanzania on December 23 at the Fez Stadium in Fez.

Four days later, they will play Tunisia at the same venue before facing Uganda's Cranes on December 30.

Nigeria is the most successful team in the group, winning the tournament three times and making their 21st appearance in Morocco. Uganda will be competing in their eighth tournament, while Tanzania has only participated three times.

Tunisia, the most familiar of the opponents, who eliminated Nigeria in the round of 16 of the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, has only won the tournament once - at home in 2024 - in 21 appearances.

The tournament will last from December 21 to January 18, 2026.