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Nigeria Drawn in Tricky Group for 2025 AFCON as Morocco Prepares to Host

Three-time African champions Nigeria face a challenging group in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, set to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The Super Eagles will compete in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania—two of which are co-hosts for the 2027 edition of the tournament.

The official draw for the competition was conducted in Morocco on Monday, with the stage set for Africa’s finest teams to compete in what promises to be an electrifying tournament. Nigeria, the most successful team in Group C, boasts an impressive AFCON history, but their opponents, particularly Tunisia, present significant challenges.

Group C: Nigeria’s Opponents and Their Records

Nigeria, appearing in their 21st AFCON, is the most decorated team in their group, having won the competition three times (1980, 1994, and 2013) and securing 16 medals overall. The Super Eagles head into the 2025 edition looking to bounce back after losing the 2023 final 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast.

Tunisia, a familiar rival, eliminated Nigeria in the round of 16 of the 2021 tournament in Cameroon. The North Africans have one AFCON title to their name, won on home soil in 2004, and have made 21 tournament appearances. Tunisia’s experience and ability to upset bigger teams make them formidable opponents.

Uganda, competing in their eighth AFCON, and Tanzania, with only three appearances, round out the group. While Uganda and Tanzania have less impressive histories in the tournament, their status as co-hosts for the 2027 edition may motivate them to deliver strong performances and defy expectations.

The Super Eagles’ Legacy and Expectations

Nigeria holds the record for the most medals in the competition’s 68-year history, with three titles, five runner-up finishes, and eight bronze medals. As one of Africa’s football powerhouses, the Super Eagles carry the weight of high expectations heading into the tournament. Their rich history and talented squad position them as favorites to advance from Group C, though they will need to navigate tricky encounters, especially against Tunisia.

The Other Groups: Tough Competition Across the Board

AFCON 2025 has shaped up to be a competitive tournament, with several other groups featuring intriguing matchups.

Group A: Hosts Morocco will face Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Morocco, one of Africa’s strongest teams, will aim to leverage home advantage to make a deep run.
Group B: Seven-time champions Egypt will battle South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Egypt remains a perennial favorite with a storied history in the competition.
Group D: Senegal, the 2022 AFCON winners, will play DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana. Senegal is widely regarded as one of the continent’s top teams.
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan form this group, with Algeria looking to reclaim their 2019 glory.
Group F: Defending champions Ivory Coast will take on Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. Ivory Coast will be aiming to defend their crown after defeating Nigeria in the 2023 final.

Host Cities and Stadiums for AFCON 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Moroccan Football Federation have announced six cities and nine stadiums to host matches during the tournament. These include some of the largest and most iconic venues in Morocco, ensuring a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

Rabat: The capital city will host games at four stadiums, including the 69,500-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah and the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay EL Hassan (22,000).
Casablanca: Matches will take place at the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V, which holds 45,000 spectators.
Agadir: The Grand Stade d’Agadir, with a capacity of 41,144, will host games.
Marrakech: The Grand Stade de Marrakech (41,245) will be a key venue.
Fes: The Complexe Sportif de Fès, with 35,468 seats, will host matches.
Tangier: The largest stadium, the Grand Stade de Tanger, has a capacity of 75,000 and will likely host marquee games, including the final.

The Road Ahead for Nigeria

While Nigeria’s Super Eagles are favorites to progress from Group C, their matches against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania will require focus and strategy. Tunisia’s ability to frustrate opponents, coupled with the unpredictability of Uganda and Tanzania, makes the group stage anything but straightforward.

With their impressive AFCON history and a talented squad, Nigeria has a strong chance of making a deep run in the tournament. However, the team will need to shake off the disappointment of their 2023 final loss and prove they are ready to reclaim the title.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Morocco to deliver a memorable AFCON experience. For Nigeria, it’s an opportunity to solidify their legacy and once again lift the coveted trophy.