Former Nigerian international Ogenyi Onazi has voiced strong confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to clinch a historic fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next year, despite the team’s recent struggles and a wave of public skepticism.
The optimism comes amid a challenging period for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, casting doubt on their near-term prospects. Further raising eyebrows was head coach Eric Chelle’s squad selection for the upcoming AFCON, which saw the omission of established names like Maduka Okoye, Terem Moffi, and Tolu Arokodare.
In their place, Chelle has called up relatively untested talents such as Salim Fago Lawal, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, a move that has left many fans questioning the team’s potential.
However, Onazi sees a parallel to Nigeria’s triumphant 2013 campaign, where a squad filled with new faces defied expectations to lift the trophy in South Africa. “Just like our team in 2013, we had many new players who made people not believe in us,” the former Lazio midfielder recalled in an interview with Footy Africa. “We knew we had a huge task in front of us, and we decided to give it our best. We were able to lift the title. I expect the same from this set of players.”
Drawing on his own experience as part of that victorious 2013 team, Onazi believes the current blend of youth and opportunity could replicate that successful underdog story.
His backing provides a veteran’s perspective to a national conversation dominated by doubt, framing the 2025 tournament as a chance for a new generation to prove its worth on the continental stage.
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