Nigeria have long been one of the giants of African football. With a blend of young prospects and established stars, the Super Eagles head into AFCON 2025 carrying both high expectations and the weight of national pride. For millions of fans, Nigeria symbolize resilience, flair and a relentless pursuit of glory. Their attacking football and fighting spirit have made them perennial contenders and always a team to watch.
- Nickname: The Super Eagles
- Head coach: Éric Sékou Chelle
- Football Association: Nigeria Football Federation
- AFCON appearances: 17 times
- FIFA ranking: 44
Nigeria’s Match Schedule
Nigeria has been drawn into Group C, alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Super Eagles.
| 23 December | Group stage |
 Nigeria Tanzania | 2 1 |
| 27 December | Group stage |
Nigeria Tunisia | 3 2 |
| 30 December | Group stage |
 Uganda Nigeria | 1 3 |
| 5 January | Round of 16 |
Nigeria Mozambique | 4 0 |
| 10 January | Quarter-final |
 Algeria Nigeria | 0 2 |
| 14 January | Semi-final |
Nigeria Morocco | 0 0 (P) |
| 17 January | Third Place Play-off |
 Egypt Nigeria | 0 0 (P) |
Stats Nigeria AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Victor Osimhen | 4 |
| 2. | Ademola Lookman | 3 |
| 3. | Raphael Onyedika | 2 |
| 4. | Akor Adams | 2 |
| 5. | Wilfred Ndidi | 1 |
| 6. | Semi Ajayi | 1 |
| 7. | Paul Onuachu | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ademola Lookman | 4 |
| 2. | Samuel Chukwueze | 2 |
| 3. | Alex Iwobi | 2 |
| 4. | Victor Osimhen | 2 |
| 5. | Akor Adams | 2 |
| 6. | Bruno Onyemaechi | 1 |
| 7. | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ademola Lookman | 7,8 |
| 2. | Samuel Chukwueze | 7,8 |
| 3. | Alex Iwobi | 7,4 |
| 4. | Stanley Nwabali | 7,4 |
| 5. | Wilfred Ndidi | 7,4 |
| 6. | Calvin Bassey | 7,3 |
| 7. | Semi Ajayi | 7,3 |
| 8. | Raphael Onyedika | 7,2 |
| 9. | Bruno Onyemaechi | 7,2 |
| 10. | Victor Osimhen | 7,2 |
Nigeria Squad
Keepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Star), Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)
Defenders:
Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Praag), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio Roma), Usman Mohammed (Ironi Tiberias), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa)
Attackers:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Salim Fago (NK Istra)
Head Coach Nigeria
The Super Eagles are led by Éric Sékou Chelle, a former defender and experienced tactician. Since taking charge, he has instilled a blend of tactical discipline and attacking intent, balancing Nigeria’s natural flair with greater consistency. After guiding the team to a runner-up finish at AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, Chelle now has his sights firmly set on going one step further and win it all. His emphasis on mental strength and resilience has been key to Nigeria’s renewed ambitions.
Star Player Nigeria
Victor Osimhen stands at the heart of Nigeria’s attack and is regarded as one of the finest strikers in world football. The 2024/25 season was a landmark year for him at Galatasaray, where he scored an astonishing 37 goals in 41 matches. His performances earned him the Süper Lig Golden Boot, Player of the Season and Fan MVP, while helping the Turkish giants to a domestic double. In summer 2025, Galatasaray sealed his permanent transfer for a record €75 million, making Osimhen the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.
Internationally, Osimhen has become Nigeria’s talisman and one of the most prolific scorers in the nation’s history. Crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2023, he combines blistering pace, physical strength and deadly finishing with both feet and in the air. Off the pitch, he is admired for his social commitments, championing education and health projects in Nigeria. More than a striker, Osimhen is a symbol of hope and inspiration for an entire generation.
Nigeria AFCON History
Few teams can match Nigeria’s consistency at the Africa Cup. Since making their debut in 1963, the Super Eagles have appeared at the tournament 21 times, collecting three titles and no fewer than five runner-up finishes.
Their victories came in 1980 (as hosts), 1994 (Tunisia), and 2013 (South Africa). Alongside those triumphs, Nigeria have often been within touching distance of the trophy, including in 2023 when they finished runners-up in Côte d’Ivoire. Unlike many rivals, Nigeria rarely fail to reach the latter stages, cementing their reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable forces.
Road to AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s qualification campaign for AFCON 2025 was not without challenges, but they ultimately emerged as group winners. Collecting 11 points from six matches, they edged out Benin and Rwanda in a competitive group. The highlights included a convincing 3-0 win over Benin, though dropped points against Rwanda showed there is room for improvement. A hallmark of their campaign was defensive solidity, conceding just three goals. With their balance of experience and firepower, the Super Eagles travel to Morocco as genuine contenders once again.
| Saturday 7 September 2024 | |
Nigeria Benin | 3 0 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
 Rwanda Nigeria | 0 0 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
Nigeria Libya | 1 0 |
| Tuesday 15 October 2024 | |
| Libya Nigeria | 0 3 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Benin Nigeria | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Nigeria Rwanda | 1 2 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +6 |
| Benin | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +0 |
| Rwanda | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -2 |
| Libya | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -4 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ademola Lookman | 2 |
| 2. | Victor Osimhen | 2 |
| 3. | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru | 1 |
| 4. | Samuel Chukwueze | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Moses Simon | 3 |
| 2. | Wilfred Ndidi | 1 |
| 3. | Frank Onyeka | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ademola Lookman | 7,7 |
| 2. | Wilfred Ndidi | 7,4 |
| 3. | Samuel Chukwueze | 7,3 |
| 4. | Bruno Onyemaechi | 7,2 |
| 5. | Alhassan Yusuf | 7,1 |
| 6. | Calvin Bassey | 7,1 |
| 7. | Stanley Nwabali | 7,1 |
| 8. | Semi Ajayi | 7,1 |
| 9. | Victor Osimhen | 7,0 |
| 10. | William Troost-Ekong | 7,0 |