December 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest months in Nigerian sports history. The Super Eagles head to Morocco for AFCON 2025, Lagos hosts the inaugural African Boxing Congress, and domestic leagues push toward their season climax.
AFCON 2025: Nigeria’s Shot at Redemption
The main event is obvious. Nigeria kicks off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania on December 23, and the pressure’s already mounting after missing the 2026 World Cup.
Coach Eric Chelle opens the Super Eagles training camp in Morocco on December 10, giving the squad just two weeks to prepare. That’s not much time when you’re rebuilding after a penalty shootout loss to DR Congo knocked you out of World Cup qualification.
Chelle submitted a 55-man provisional list that’s got fans talking. The big shock? Captain William Troost-Ekong didn’t make the cut after leading a protest over unpaid allowances before the World Cup playoff semifinal. That’s the kind of drama Nigerian football can’t seem to shake.
Injury worries aren’t helping either. Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche confirmed Ola Aina is still far from returning to full training after his hamstring injury, and the defender’s been out since September. He’s racing against time to be fit for the tournament.
Nigeria’s group stage schedule runs through the end of December. After Tanzania on the 23rd, they face Tunisia on December 27 and wrap up against Uganda on December 30. All three matches will be played at Fez Stadium in Morocco. Betting platforms like Surebet247 have already opened markets for all three group matches, with Nigeria listed as favorites against Tanzania and Uganda but slight underdogs against Tunisia.
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The Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 AFCON, losing to Ivory Coast in the final. This time they’re chasing their fourth continental title, but they’ll do it without any Nigerian referees on the officiating roster. CAF released its approved list of 73 match officials for the tournament, and Nigeria had zero representation.
African Boxing Congress Comes to Lagos
Boxing gets its moment on December 28. Nigeria hosts the inaugural African Boxing Congress and Boxing Gala Night in Lagos, bringing together representatives from over 20 affiliated national federations.
This isn’t just a one-off event. The hosting rights put Nigeria in pole position to emerge as the host nation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics boxing qualifiers in Africa. That’s a massive deal for Nigerian boxing, which has been pushing for more international recognition.
African Boxing also announced the establishment of its headquarters in Lagos, making Nigeria the continental hub for Olympic-style boxing going forward.
Domestic Leagues Push Forward
While international football grabs the headlines, Nigerian domestic sports keep grinding. The NPFL continues through December, with matches scheduled throughout the month as clubs battle for position in the league table.
Basketball fans have plenty to watch too. December 2025 features the Elite 16 BAL Qualifiers, FIBA AWBL 2025 finals, and Total National Division 1&2 league finals. The Nigeria Basketball Federation packed the year-end calendar with major competitions. Most licensed betting sites including Surebet247 cover NPFL matches for fans who want to back their local teams.
What’s at Stake
December will define Nigeria’s sporting year. A strong AFCON showing could wash away the World Cup disappointment. A poor tournament might trigger another overhaul at the NFF, which has already begun restructuring after the DR Congo loss.
The boxing congress positions Nigeria as a continental leader in combat sports. If Lagos delivers a successful event, expect more major tournaments to follow.
For Nigerian sports fans, December means sleepless nights watching the Super Eagles, heated debates about squad selections, and hoping this time things finally click. The talent’s there. The question is whether Chelle can get his new-look squad to perform when it matters.
One thing’s certain: come January 2026, we’ll know if Nigeria’s still Africa’s giant or just another team with unfulfilled potential.
