AFCON 2025
The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been concluded and the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been handed quite a tricky set of opponents.
Nigeria will take on 2004 champions Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C of the competition.
Uganda make a return to the competition after missing out on the 2021 and 2023 editions in Cameroun and Cote D’Ivoire respectively.
The Cranes qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they3finished second in the group behind South Africa.
Tanzania also finished second behind DR Congo. The Taifa Stars will participate at the competition for the second consecutive edition for the first time.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are making their 16th consecutive appearance at the competition which makes them an household name on the continent.
While the group might appear relatively easy, the Super Eagles might need to break more than a sweat to scale through the group stage for the reasons below. .
1. The Threat of Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles are quite familiar with the Super Eagles and both teams share bitter-seat memories of each other at the international stage.
The North African side might be of inferior quality to the Super Eagles in this moment based on overall quality but they remain a torn in the flesh of the Super Eagles.
Tunisia sent the Super Eagles packing in the second round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations despite a fantastic group stage run.
Youssef Msakni’s 47th minute goal made the difference on the night.
The Carthage Eagles have a decent head-to-head record against the Super Eagles with seven wins seven wins and eight draws in 21 meetings.
2. Uganda Antecedent
It might sound weird but Uganda are more of a bigger threat to the Super Eagles than Tunisia in Group C.
The Cranes are a quite decent team and they are coached by a manager, Paul Put who is very experienced on the continent.
Paul Put has managed Gambai, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Kenya before accepting to lead Uganda in 2022.
The Cranes of Uganda are undefeated against the Super Eagles at AFCON.
Uganda defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the semi-final of the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The East African nation recorded a 2-1 win over the Super Eagles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match in 2007.
The Cranes also defeated the Super Eagles in two international friendly matches in 1981 (1-0) and in 2015 by the same margin.
Uganda have met the Super Eagles eight times and boasts of a four victories, two losses and two draws.
3. Fixtures Arrangement
The fixtures arrangements for Group C might put the Super Eagles under a lot of pressure to impress.
Nigeria will take on Tanzania in their opening fixture, Tunisia four days later and Uganda three days later.
The Super Eagles have a fantastic record against the Taifa Stars and are favorite to win just like they were against Equatorial Guinea at the last edition.
However, Nigeria fell below expectations as played out a one-all draw against Nzalang National in their opening fixture.
Should the Super Eagles fail to win, they will into the second group match against Tunisia under pressure which might spell doom.
The Group C draw look easy on paper but the teams, especially Uganda and Tanzania will give the Super Eagles more than a fight en route to their fourth AFCON glory.
