The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has excluded Nigeria`s Super Eagles from its list of top five favorite teams to watch at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as reported by The Guardian Nigeria.
This surprising decision comes despite the Super Eagles’ ranking as three-time champions and runners-up in the last edition of the tournament.
Furthermore, Ademola Lookman, Nigeria’s star striker and reigning African Player of the Year, has been listed as one of the top players to watch at the competition.
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Italy, is expected to be a key figure for the Super Eagles at the tournament, which will take place in Morocco later this year.
CAF’s top five teams to watch include the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, who are coming off a dramatic victory on home soil earlier this year.
Other notable inclusions are Nigeria’s western neighbors, Benin, whose inclusion has raised eyebrows given their inconsistent performances in recent years.
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The 2025 AFCON will mark the championship’s return to Morocco for the first time since 1988, a tournament won by Cameroon.
The final draw for this 35th edition of Africa’s premier football competition is scheduled to take place in Rabat on January 27.
While the exclusion of the Super Eagles has generated mixed reactions among fans, some see it as an opportunity for the team to exceed expectations and reclaim their position as a dominant force in African football.
With stars like Lookman in the squad, many believe the Super Eagles could still make a significant impact despite being overlooked by CAF.
The countdown to AFCON 2025 continues, with teams and fans eagerly anticipating the competition and the battles for continental glory.
