Former Super Eagles midfielder reveals what Nigeria need to win AFCON 2025

Okpala donned the green and white colours of the Super Eagles between 1979–1988 and was an assistant manager when Nigeria lifted the AFCON 2013 trophy under Stephen Keshi.

The three-time AFCON Champions have been drawn into Group C alongside Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia ahead of the AFCON 2025 showdown in Morocco, and the 63-year-old revealed what Eric Chelle’s men must do to avoid the mistake they made in Ivory Coast last year.

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“If you want to win AFCON, you have to win all your matches, no matter who is in your group or who you face next. The Tunisians, we know them well. Uganda and Tanzania are also teams to fear. The most important thing is that we have to win all matches, no matter who we are playing,” Okpala said in quotes revealed by Brila.

Nigeria have a historical advantage over their opponents in Group C. The Super Eagles have won the prestigious trophy three times, while Tunisia have won it just once.

Uganda and Tanzania are yet to win an AFCON. While Eric Chelle’s men are in an advantageous position, other teams will be out with a point to prove.

With expectations on the Super Eagles at an all-time high, the team’s new coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed his primary focus to be a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, with the AFCON title coming in second place.

“We are a strong team, and now we need to focus on World Cup qualification. After that, in October, we can think about what comes next, but now, we need to be focused on one goal, and the goal is the next game against Rwanda,” the former Mali head coach said in an interview with NFF Media.

The Super Eagles are currently 5th in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group, and with just six games left, it is without a doubt Eric Chelle will want to secure as many points as possible for the three-time African Champions.

Nigeria have three points from their opening four games and are without a win, drawing three games and losing one. Their journey to make amends starts during the March International break.

Eric Chelle will debut as head coach of the Super Eagles when Nigeria travel to take on Rwanda on the 19th of March before they return home to take on Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on the 22nd of March.

Looking ahead, the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco kicks off on the 21st of December and will run through till January 18th, 2026.