Ex-Nigeria captain Yobo confident in Super Eagles' title chances after AFCON Draw

1d ago | Source: Graphic Online

Joseph Yobo was one of the former African football stars who helped with the draws at the event

Former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles' prospects of securing a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament, following the official draw on Monday in Rabat, Morocco.

The Super Eagles were placed in Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, and East African sides Uganda and Tanzania.

Reflecting on the draw and Nigeria’s historical pedigree, Yobo, a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s last AFCON victory in 2013, remains optimistic about the team’s chances.

“We have a talented young squad and a new generation of players who’ve been together for a while, so team chemistry won’t be an issue,” Yobo said.

“Looking at the group, it won’t be easy, but with the Super Eagles, advancing from the group stage has never been a problem.”

Nigeria enters the tournament with a rich AFCON legacy, having won 16 medals from 20 appearances, including three titles (1980, 1994, and 2013), five runner-up finishes, and eight bronze medals.

The team narrowly missed out on a fourth title in 2023, losing 2-1 to Côte d'Ivoire in the final.

Yobo, who also served as one of the assistants during Monday's draw, stressed that the team’s focus should go beyond simply advancing from the group stage—it should be on clinching the ultimate prize.

“I hope that we start very well and we can take that momentum to the final. We are building on our last performance at AFCON 2023, and it’s about time we get our hands on the trophy again. I think we have the players and a wonderful new coach to do that.”

Tunisia, the second most decorated team in Group C after Nigeria, will provide a tough challenge for the Super Eagles. The North Africans famously eliminated Nigeria in the 2021 Round of 16 and have one AFCON title to their name from 21 tournament appearances.

Uganda, making their eighth AFCON appearance, and Tanzania, appearing for only the fourth time, will look to defy expectations and cause an upset in the group.

However, Yobo remains confident, praising Nigeria’s squad depth and recent progress under their new coach. “We have a very good team, and the players are improving,” Yobo said. “It’s all about carrying that energy from the group stages and maintaining momentum.”

With AFCON 2025 set to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, football fans can expect exciting matchups as 24 nations battle for glory in Morocco.