The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been a mix of triumph and turmoil for Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles. Having secured their spot in the prestigious tournament by topping their qualifying group, Nigeria are set to compete in the tournament scheduled to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.
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A Mixed Bag of Qualifying Success
Nigeria’s qualification campaign concluded with a 2-1 loss against Rwanda, ensuring the Super Eagles finished as group leaders. This achievement solidifies their position as one of Africa’s top footballing nations and sets the stage for another opportunity to claim continental glory. In the last AFCON, held earlier this year in Ivory Coast, Nigeria reached the final but fell short in a 2-1 defeat to the hosts. The Super Eagles are now aiming to improve upon that performance and capture their first AFCON title since 2013.
The squad features an impressive lineup of talent, including Premier League stars like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Taiwo Awoniyi. Winger Ademola Lookman, who gained recognition for his stellar performances with Atalanta, and Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen further strengthen the team’s firepower. Notably absent in recent qualifiers due to injury was Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s star forward, who is expected to play a pivotal role in Morocco.
Controversy in the Qualifiers: Nigeria vs. Libya
While Nigeria’s qualification campaign was successful on the field, it was marred by off-field controversies. The Super Eagles’ recent encounter with Libya highlighted logistical mismanagement and heightened tensions. Ahead of their second-leg qualifier in Libya, the Nigerian team endured over 12 hours stranded at Al Abraq International Airport after their flight was diverted from the original destination of Benghazi Airport. The delay, which left players and staff without food, water, or proper communication, was criticized by team captain William Troost-Ekong as a deliberate tactic to disrupt their preparation.
In a social media post, Troost-Ekong described the situation as a form of “mind games,” alleging that the diversion and subsequent airport lockdown were intentional. Pictures shared by players showed them sleeping on airport seats, with their luggage scattered nearby—a stark contrast to the preparation expected for a crucial qualifier.
The Nigerian team ultimately refused to play the fixture, citing concerns over their treatment and the long travel distance to the match venue. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) denied accusations of sabotage, attributing the issues to routine logistical challenges. However, tensions were already high, with the Libyan team accusing Nigeria of similar mistreatment during the first-leg match held in Nigeria.
Calls for Accountability and Fair Play
The incident has drawn attention to broader issues within African football, including inadequate infrastructure and poor logistical planning. Nigeria’s then-sports minister, John Owan Enoh, has called for a formal complaint to be filed with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ensure such incidents are addressed and prevented in the future. The minister emphasized the need for fair treatment of all teams, regardless of their status or hosting capabilities.
The altercation also reignited conversations about the need for reciprocity and mutual respect among African football federations. Libyan captain Faisal Al-Badri echoed these sentiments, describing his team’s experiences of delays and substandard conditions during their visit to Nigeria.
Final Thoughts
As Nigeria prepare for the 2025 AFCON, the focus will inevitably shift back to the pitch. With a talented squad and a hunger to reclaim continental supremacy, the Super Eagles remain strong contenders. However, the controversies surrounding their qualifying campaign underscore the importance of addressing non-sporting challenges that continue to plague African football.
The upcoming tournament in Morocco offers not only a chance for Nigeria to prove their mettle but also an opportunity for African football to demonstrate growth in organizational excellence.
