The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, 27 January.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in Pot 1, which means they will avoid heavyweights like Egypt, current champions Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Algeria, and hosts Morocco.
However, the Eagles could still face some tough opponents in the group stage.
Ahead of the draw, Completesports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI profiles seven countries that could be drawn in the same group as the Super Eagles.
Cameroon
The Super Eagles faced Cameroon in the AFCON 2023 round of 16 and triumphed 2-0 thanks to Ademola Lookman’s brace.
Since losing the AFCON 2000 final on penalties to Cameroon, the Super Eagles have gone on to win their last three AFCON meetings (2004, 2019, 2023) against the five-time African champions.
The Indomitable Lions’ first three AFCON titles were at the expense of the Super Eagles (1984, 1988, 2000).
South Africa
One of the most memorable games at AFCON 2023 was the semi-final clash between the Super Eagles and South Africa.
After a pulsating encounter, the Eagles won 4-2 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.
It was the fourth AFCON meeting between the Eagles and South Africa, with Nigeria triumphing in all four encounters.
The two teams also clashed in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Uyo in 2024, which ended 1-1.
Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles eliminated the Super Eagles in the round of 16 at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, the last time the two countries met in the tournament.
The Eagles’ last victory against Tunisia came in the third-place playoff at AFCON 2019 in Egypt, courtesy of an Odion Ighalo strike.
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Nigeria defeated Tunisia 4-2 in their opening group game at AFCON 2000. However, in the semi-finals of the 2004 edition, Tunisia, as hosts, edged out the Eagles on penalties.
The Eagles avenged that defeat with their own penalty shootout win over Tunisia in the quarter-finals of AFCON 2006 in Egypt.
Zambia
The Chipolopolo of Zambia were crowned AFCON champions at the 2012 edition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
At the next edition in 2013 in South Africa, Zambia held the Eagles to a 1-1 draw in the group stage.
One of the most notable AFCON encounters between Zambia and Nigeria was the 1994 final, where the Eagles secured a 2-1 win courtesy of an Emmanuel Amuneke brace.
Other victories for the Eagles over Zambia came in the semi-finals of the 1990 edition (2-0) and the quarter-finals of the 2010 tournament (5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw).
Mali
Before his appointment as Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle led Mali to a 2-0 win over Nigeria in a friendly in 2024.
Chelle also guided the Malians to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023, where they lost 2-1 to eventual champions Côte d’Ivoire.
Under the late Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles thrashed Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals of AFCON 2013.
Nigeria also defeated Mali in third-place playoffs at AFCON 2002 and 2004.
DR Congo
Two-time AFCON champions, the Democratic Republic of Congo, reached the semi-finals of the 2023 tournament.
After losing to Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals, DR Congo also lost to South Africa in the third-place match.
They could face the Super Eagles at AFCON for the first time since the quarter-finals of the 1994 edition in Tunisia. The late Rashidi Yekini was the hero in that match, scoring both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 win.
Burkina Faso
The Stallions of Burkina Faso are no pushovers in AFCON tournaments.
Their closest attempt at winning the title was in 2013, where they lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles in the final. Earlier in the tournament, they had held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the group stage.
Burkina Faso have finished fourth on two occasions – as hosts in 1998 and again in 2021.
At the 2023 tournament, they reached the round of 16 before losing to Mali.
