Nigeria’s Super Eagles players training ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gabon
Former Super Eagles star Ben Iroha believes Nigeria has the depth, quality, and experience needed to compete for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title — as long as the right decisions are made.
Speaking from his base in Texas, the 1994 AFCON champion reacted to the 54-man provisional squad released by Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle, describing it as a strong foundation for a title-winning team.
Although he emphasized that the real test comes when the list is trimmed to 23 players, Iroha said the current roster reflects Nigeria’s impressive global football presence.
“Nigeria is very rich in talent production. Apart from one or two NPFL players, the rest are in top leagues across Europe. The talent, quality and experience are there,”
Iroha told Completesports.com.
He noted that the squad’s strength lies not just in big names, but in the blend of competition, versatility, and international exposure among the players.
According to Iroha, Nigeria’s path to a fourth AFCON crown depends on more than raw ability.
He stressed the importance of:
Hard work
Organisation
Tactical discipline
Proper preparation
“With proper preparation and the right selection, this team has what it takes to deliver the AFCON title in Morocco.”
Iroha also acknowledged that Nigerian fans will accept nothing less than the trophy, especially after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He believes the renewed energy shown late in the qualifiers is a sign of what the team can achieve if they maintain — or surpass — that level at AFCON.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on 21 December 2025 in Morocco, with the final set for 18 January 2026.
Nigeria’s three previous AFCON triumphs came in:
1980
1994
2013
With expectations sky-high and a hungry squad available, Coach Eric Chelle will be aiming to write his name in history by guiding the Super Eagles to AFCON glory once again.
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