AFCON 2025: High Spirits, No Pressure For Super Eagles, Captain Ndidi Declares

Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has insisted that he and his teammates were not feeling any pressure to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco, despite their failure to secure a World Cup qualification for Nigeria.

Speaking at Monday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Super Eagles’ Group C opener against Tanzania, Ndidi assured that the entire squad was prepared.

“The spirit in camp is very high, and this match is crucial for us; it’s the game that sets the momentum,” Ndidi stated. “Everyone is ready, from the players to the staff, everyone is focused on this very important game.”

He added: “To be honest, there’s no pressure. We have senior players in the team assisting, along with the coach and manager, and I’ve been part of the system long before becoming captain, so there’s no pressure.”

This tournament will mark Ndidi’s third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. He made his debut at the 2019 competition in Egypt, where he helped the Super Eagles secure a third-place finish.

The former Leicester City star, who now plays for Besiktas in the Turkish Super Lig, was unfortunately absent from the Super Eagles’ squad for the 2023 AFCON due to injury. Under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles reached the final of that edition before a 2-1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast.