Salomon Kalou Claims Only Ivory Coast Can Stop Nigeria From Winning 2025 AFCON

The AFCON 2025 banter has officially begun — and it’s coming from none other than Salomon Kalou, the former Ivory Coast international and ex-Chelsea winger. Kalou confidently declared that only the Elephants are capable of preventing Nigeria’s Super Eagles from lifting the continental trophy next year.

His statement came shortly after Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali voiced strong optimism about Nigeria’s chances, saying the team is “hungry and motivated” to claim the 2025 title following their painful loss in the last final.

For context, Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 AFCON on home soil in Abidjan — a night that still stings for many Nigerian fans.

What Kalou Said

Speaking on SuperSports, Kalou responded to Nwabali’s confidence with a subtle reminder of the Elephants’ dominance:

“It is a great feeling to win, especially when you win at home, in front of your people, the whole stadium. I think no feeling can beat that,” Kalou said.
“You can ask any player who played at a high level; winning for your country is something different. It doesn’t touch close to winning for your club in Europe.”

He went on to suggest that Nigeria’s route to the title will only be clear if they manage to avoid meeting Ivory Coast — a bold statement that has already set off heated debates across social media.

What’s Next For The Super Eagles

Nigeria have been placed in Group C for AFCON 2025, alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania — a group many analysts see as manageable. However, with powerhouses like Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Morocco also in contention, the road to glory is far from easy.

Whether Kalou’s confidence holds true or Nigeria gets their revenge, one thing is certain — the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is shaping up to be a thrilling battle for supremacy.

Stay tuned to Sports Market International for all the pre-tournament buzz, exclusive insights, and match-day updates as the countdown to AFCON 2025 continues.