NIGERIA Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau is confident the Super Eagles can go all the way at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Having failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing in the play-offs to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Super Eagles are in Morocco gunning for a fourth AFCON title.
They begin their campaign on Tuesday against Tanzania before further group clashes with Tunisia and Uganda.
Gusau believes the Super Eagles have what it takes to go one better than their runner-up finish last time out in Cote d’Ivoire in 2024 and bring the trophy back home to Nigeria.
“We have prepared the team with the objective of lifting the trophy,” the NFF boss said.
“The FIFA World Cup miss still bites, but if we are able to win the Africa Cup of Nations, it will go a long way to assuaging the feelings of our fans at home and in the diaspora, and it will also be good for the present generation of Super Eagles as they will have at least one major triumph to their name.
“It has not been easy, but we have to continue to appreciate and show that we value the contributions of the players and officials at all times.
“They have to travel and lodge in convenience, and that is something we must always find a way to work out despite the challenges that the Federation faces.
“I have confidence in the coaches and the players that we have to turn the present gloom around and make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”
Nigeria, then known as the Green Eagles, won their first AFCON trophy on home soil in 1980 and triumphed again in Tunisia in 1994.
The Super Eagles’ last AFCON title was in South Africa in 2013.
The West African went close to adding to their three titles on several occasions, finishing as losing finalists in 1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023.