Nigerians can look forward to a truly unifying football experience this December as the
Super Eagles prepare for the 35th Edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), as event owner, together with New World Televisions (NWTV), the exclusive Pay-Per-View and Free-to-Air rights holder, has confirmed that the tournament will be fully accessible to Nigerians courtesy of AfroSport and its nationwide FTA broadcast network.
As the backbone of broadcasting in Nigeria, Free-to-Air television remains the single most powerful distribution platform in the country—reaching more than 33 million TV homes across every nook and cranny of Nigeria. With this unparalleled reach, AfroSport once again guarantees that AFCON will remain a truly national event, accessible to all Nigerians regardless of geography, income, or technology.
Having successfully delivered the 2022 and 2024 editions of AFCON, the 2025 tournament marks a historic hat-trick for AfroSport—Nigeria’s undisputed FTA sports champion. The matches will be presented and distributed nationwide through the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as the national broadcaster, and AfroSport’s growing network of FTA affiliate partners.
Chief Consultant Akintunde-Johnson Bada, announcing the partnership, stated: “We are proud to once again receive CAF’s trust and to deliver this most important event to every Nigerian home. AFCON 2025 arrives at a critical moment for Nigerian football, and we all hope our boys can go one better than they did in Ivory Coast two years ago. FTA television remains the people’s platform, and AfroSport is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can be part of this journey.”
NWTV’s Managing Director, Mr. Nimonka Kolani, added: “By securing the AFCON 2025 Free-to-Air rights, AfroSport guarantees that all Nigerians will be able to follow their heroes in Morocco.”
“CAF, under the leadership of Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has enabled this partnership with AfroSport, and it continues to bring joy to millions of football fans across Nigeria.”
AFCON 2025 is highly anticipated as one of the most exciting editions yet—a rare Christmas football spectacle, running from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, with Morocco continuing its rise as a powerhouse in African and world football. The opening match will feature Morocco vs. Comoros on 21 December.
Nigeria will begin its Group C campaign on 23 December against Tanzania, followed by fixtures against Tunisia (27 December) and Uganda (30 December)—all of which will be available nationwide free-to-air.
With AfroSport’s leadership and the unmatched distribution power of FTA broadcasting, AFCON 2025 promises to unite the nation once again—live, free, and everywhere.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to shift their full attention to the 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, urging the team to recover quickly from Sunday’s World Cup playoff defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President said the team must now “focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations” after narrowly missing out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive cycle.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes were extinguished in Rabat after a tense match ended 1-1 in extra time, with DR Congo edging the Eagles 4-3 on penalties to move into the Inter-Confederation play-off.
Despite the disappointment, President Tinubu commended the players for their determination throughout the qualifiers, noting that they had shown resilience, particularly after winning the first leg of the playoff.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” he said.
The President also called for a comprehensive review of the country’s football operations, urging administrators, coaches, players, and stakeholders to return to the drawing board and “plug all the loopholes” that undermined the qualification campaign.
While acknowledging the pain felt by fans nationwide, he stressed that the upcoming AFCON—scheduled for January to February 2026—provides an immediate opportunity for redemption.
“Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory,” President Tinubu said, rallying the team to prepare adequately and aim for a strong continental outing.
In a related development, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Tinubu, the Federal Government and the Nigerian public following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement released through its Communications Department, the federation described Sunday’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Africa Play-Offs Final in Rabat as “a moment of profound sadness,” noting that the result fell far short of national expectations.
The NFF acknowledged the emotional impact of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup, stressing that in a country where football functions as a unifying force and a national symbol, the setback carries “great weight and emotional depth.”
HandyPros Hospitality has unveiled a campaign: Morocco Beyond AFCON, to mobilise Nigerians to cheer Super Eagles at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco while experiencing the host country’s attractions.
The campaign was launched on Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos, with sports commentator, Suo Chapele, TV host, Zzini Ekeh, and comedian, Anita Asuoha (Real Warri Pikin), as lead ambassadors.
Chief Operating Officer of HandyPros Hospitality, Adeleye Ogunwole, said the initiative stemmed from the poor turnout at the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final, where less than 200 fans were present to support the Super Falcons.
He said: “Part of our business concern is hospitality. Our plan is to take Nigerians to Morocco. We saw the success of WAFCON and we feel supporting Super Eagles will promote our culture and showing the beauty of Morocco to Nigerians.”
He explained that the company has set aside 2,000 slots for Nigerians to embark on a 10-day trip from December 22. The package, he added, includes watching AFCON matches and visiting tourist sites in Morocco.
“Having 2,000 in the stands will boost the morale of Super Eagles. We can’t underestimate the power of support in football,” Ogunwole stressed, while assuring that security had been put in place in partnership with Moroccans.
Founder, Folorunso Egbekunle, also said the company is discussing with NFF and the sports commission, both of which endorsed the initiative.
“Nigeria has a total of 2,000 slots for the tournament, and we are not just selling tickets. We are providing a structured experience. The NFF is happy about the initiative, and we are ready to deliver,” Egbekunle said.
The organisers said the Morocco Beyond AFCON campaign will not only promote Nigerian football culture abroad but also encourage fans to explore tourism opportunities, creating “an experience of two worlds.”
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Kenya in their final Group B fixture on Wednesday in Cairo.
The match saw Nigeria come from behind twice, with goals from Kparobo Arierhi in the 13th minute and a 73rd-minute penalty by Captain Daniel Bameyi, cancelling out strikes from Kenya’s Wanganya K. (6’, penalty) and William Gitmu (68’).
The hard-earned point, coupled with Morocco’s 3-1 win over Tunisia, was enough to see Nigeria finish second in the group with five points, securing their place in the knockout rounds.
With this result, the Flying Eagles remain unbeaten in the group stage and continue their pursuit of a U-20 AFCON title and a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Former England international Jamie Carragher has apologised over his comments about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) not being a major tournament, stating that his words were misinterpreted.
Carragher faced backlash after referring to AFCON as a ‘small tournament’ but he has now sought to clear the air, emphasizing that he did not intend to undermine the competition.
“I love debates, but what I would never want to be described as is ignorant or disrespectful. That was never my aim—whether regarding a team, a player, a continent, or a tournament,” Carragher who played all his football career with Liverpool, said.
Carragher said on CBS Sports Golazo’s UEFA Champions League show.
“Where I went wrong was in the way I phrased it. I was clumsy in describing AFCON as not a major tournament. My point was about Mo Salah’s Ballon d’Or chances, and I felt that—not just AFCON, but also the Asian Cup and Gold Cup—are not always considered on the same level as other tournaments.
“There are five continental competitions besides the World Cup, but not all of them carry the same weight with Ballon d’Or voters. That’s not an opinion; it’s a fact when you look at past winners over the last 40-50 years.
“I’ve always supported Salah in his quest to become the first African Ballon d’Or winner since George Weah in the mid-1990s. However, I should have been more careful with my wording. The European Championship, for example, resonates more with the journalists, national coaches, and captains who vote for the award.
“One key factor is that the Ballon d’Or was originally focused on European football, which may contribute to a bias in favour of European competitions. It was never my intention to offend anyone,” he explained
Drawn against Tunisia and two East African ‘lightweights’ Tanzania and Uganda in the Preliminary Group C of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, stakeholders are unanimous that it’s about time the Super Eagles win Nigeria’s long awaited fourth continental trophy. Winners on home soil in 1980, the fabled Nigeria’s senior national team also conquered the continent at Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013. To break the barriers in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) have been enjoined to provide the needed fillip for the Super Eagles now under the watch of Franco-Malian coach Eric Sekou Chelle, writes TUNDE LIADI…
Former Nigeria International goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has counselled the current Super Eagles against any form of complacency in their bid to go all the way at the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco despite been drawn in what looks on paper, a decent First Round group complete with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia as well as the Taifa Stars of Tanzania and Cranes of Uganda.
Shorunmu, Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea & Japan, said African football continues to be on the rise everyday consequently that it would be wrong for anyone to underrate Nigeria’s Group C opponents, adding all the 24 teams would be starting on ‘ground zero’ irrespective of past achievements at past AFCONs.
He, therefore, enjoined the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take the preparations of the team seriously while noting that with the calibre of players and the choice of coach Eric Sekou Chelle, the chances of the Super Eagles’ for a fourth continental title in Morocco is bright .
“There is no any small country anymore in tournaments. If you don’t prepare very well, they will shock you. Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda are almost the same in level because things are changing and we don’t need to think of years back that we are champions,” the former Zurich FC of Switzerland goalkeeper stated. “This is a new ball game and we need to prepare very well. We have a good team and I am sure we will do well with the new coach we have.
Currently the goalkeepers’ trainer at Abia Warriors, Shorunmu has equally called for patience for the new Super Eagles coach Eric Sekou Chelle as he urged fans to continue to lower their expectations ahead of AFCON.
“This is a new coach and we haven’t seen how his philosophy would be with our terrain here. Let’s wait and see when he takes over the team fully he would now know the strength of our team and whether we have the potential to go further than the last time we did in Cote d’Ivoire,” he added.
Shorunmu’s views were equally shared by Super Eagles skipper to the 2013 AFCON, Joseph Yobo .
He believes Nigeria will qualify from the knockout phase of the 2025 AFCON but reckoned the team’s overall success hinges on starting the opening first three matches on a good footing.
“We do have a very good team and the players are improving. We have a good set of players and they showed that at the last AFCON. Looking at the group, it is never going to be easy but we know that the Super Eagles will come out of the group without much problem,” Yobo, who was one of the Draw Assistants in Rabat on Monday, stated.
“I hope that we start very well and build on that momentum to the final. We must build on our last performance at the last AFCON. It is about time we got our hands again on the AFCON trophy. We have a good set of players and an amazing coach to do that.”
Similarly, erstwhile Golden Eaglets’ captain and coach, Nduka Ugbade, has urged the Super Eagles to pay attention to details and not underrate any of their group’s foes so that they do not get the results they never wished for.
He noted that though the Super Eagles are one of the teams to beat in the group, they must work extra hard to merit a knockout ticket.
“It is a good draw for Nigeria. It is not that too difficult but you must consider some of the situations in Africa that the game has improved a lot and a lot of things are in the game now,” Ugbade, who led Nigeria to claim the maiden FIFA Under-16 World Cup in Beijing, China, said. “Nigeria should be able to perform very well but I am not going to rule out even the smallest team on paper, Tanzania from being able to spring a surprise. Nigeria should be able to qualify but we have to work to merit that. You don’t qualify by word of mouth.”
Meanwhile, one-time Super Eagles left back, Ifeanyi Udeze, has admonished the current senior national team to target winning the fourth African title in Morocco after the near miss last year in Cote d’Ivoire.
“It is about time we tried to see if we can win the trophy again. I am not afraid of any team in the group be it Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania,” Udeze said. “We must first strive to come out of the group before we start talking about the knock out round.”
The NFF’s General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has acknowledged that the Eagles loss to Tunisia in the round of 16 at the delayed 2021 AFCON , should serve as eye opener that the coach Chelle-led side cannot afford to count their chicks until they are hatched.
Recalled that the Super Eagles won all their opening three group games in Cameroon but were stopped in the Round of 16 against Tunisia against all expectations.
Sanusi opined that he learned a great deal from the Cameroon experience and are ready to leave no stone unturned in their resolve to ensure the Eagles excel in Morocco.
“In football you cannot underrate any team these days. I am happy with the group but I see it as a serious wakeup call because we knew what happened to us in Cameroon in 2022 against Tunisia in the Round of 16,” Dr Sanusi said. “We are aware of the task ahead of us. I can say that we are comfortable but we are not going to take our opponents for granted though we may be comfortable with their style of play.”
Yet former Kano Pillars defensive midfielder, Gabriel Reuben, has challenged the Super Eagles to hit the ground running in Morocco to show their intent to win their fourth African title.
Reuben who was a member of the victorious team at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa , said though the Super Eagles are the top horse in the group alongside Tunisia, they must still be wary of Tanzania and Uganda.
“The draw has been made and if you want to win AFCON you have to win all your games irrespective of the opposition. I think we know the Tunisians but the Ugandans and Tanzanians, we must be scared of them because football is not one plus one.
“There are no underdogs in football and we must take all the games seriously. It is what we make us to qualify because it is not just about having a good team.”
But Cranes of Uganda’s head coach, Paul Put , has admitted that they would be up against tough opposition in the class of Nigeria, Tunisia while not discountenance the solidity of their neighbours, Tanzania.
Put, a Belgian and a former coach of Burkina Faso, enthused about preparing a team ready to face any African opposition in December.
“We are up against tough opponents. Tunisians and Nigeria are former champions of AFCON and Tanzania too are not too far off,” Put disclosed. “I think we have to believe in ourselves and prepare very well for the competition. We have to play better than our abilities.”
Similarly, Cranes’ forward Dennis Omedi said he was looking forward to playing at the AFCON , adding the East Africans won’t be making up the numbers in Morocco.
“I believe in Uganda’s Cranes players and no one should think we will be at the AFCON to make up the numbers. Omedi said. “I believe we are going to get out of this group and if we fight so hard and believe in ourselves we could take the team as far as possible in Morocco.
“We shall take the game one after the other starting with Tunisia and then Tanzania before the game with Nigeria. The focus should be on the first game because in every tournament what is most important is how you begin it.
“If you begin in a good way it gives you the momentum and it will send signals to the rest of your group opponents and it gives you an upper hand.”
That notwithstanding, former Super Eagles attacker, Benedict Akwuegbu, has expressed optimism that Nigeria can win the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Akwuegbu said the calibre of players we have in Europe should send fears down the spines of the Eagles foes in Morocco.
“We have a big chance to win the 2025 AFCON because our players are in top form especially Osimhen, Lookman who just won the CAF Player of Year award,” Akwuegbu stated. “Simon Moses is also doing very well in France. I am optimistic we will win the AFCON.”
Nevertheless, Super Eagles Team Coordinator, Patrick Pascal, has warned about the dangers of underrating any team at the forthcoming 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
“The group stage is there for teams to fight and qualify because in Cote ‘d’Ivoire last year all the top seeds people we were talking about all crashed out early,” Pascal said. “We need absolute concentration to qualify from the group we are in. There is nothing like small countries in Africa again. We cannot underestimate any team.”
Speaking in the same vein, former Super Eagles midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has charged Nigeria’s senior national team to work their way out of the group stage, adding good preparation would aid team’s superb performance in Morocco.
“Every group is tough. It takes a lot for any team to qualify. We must work our way out,” Ekpo said. “Build our team towards the upcoming AFCON. We have ample time to do a thorough job before the start of the AFCON.”
The Super Eagles along with 23 other contenders will know the identities of their preliminary group opponents on January 25 as the Final Draw of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will be held in Rabat .
According to the continental soccer ruling body (CAF) the draw would be attended by the 24 Nations that have qualified for the AFCON 2025 while the draw will be conducted at 19h00 local time (7:00pm Nigerian time).
CAF further noted that draw ‘provides the National Teams with the opportunity to assess the excellent match venues, training facilities and hotel infrastructure in Morocco’.
The 24 teams will be placed into six pools each containing four sides. The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed sides advance to the round of 16.
Morocco will be hosing the finals for the first time since 1988 as we enter an exciting time for the North African nation, who are also co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Spain and Portugal.
This will be the 35th edition of the AFCON, which was first played in 1957. It is the third oldest continental competition in football behind South America (1916) and Asia (1956).
After a year packed with sporting events like the Euros and the Olympics, football fans can look forward to another 12 months of thrilling events and following Afcon predictions from expert tipsters.
Amid dozens of tournaments spread across the calendar in various sports, here are five football events to watch out for in 2025:
1. Men’s Champions League final: This year’s UCL final will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on 31 May 2025. This will be the first UEFA Champions League final played under the Swiss-system format. It will culminate the 70th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 33rd since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League.
2. Women’s Champions League final: The Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon will host the showpiece event of women’s club football in Europe on 25 May 2025. All eyes will be on two-time UCL winners FC Barcelona to go all the way.
3. FIFA Club World Cup: FIFA’s new club competition, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ will grace the world stage in June and July 2025, when 32 of the globe’s leading teams gather in the USA for the inaugural edition. This global event will bring together the most successful club sides from the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The tournament will take place from 14 June to 13 July 2025.
4. Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland hosts the biggest women’s football tournament of 2025, and England’s task is to defend the title they won in the summer of 2022. This tournament will take place from 2 July to 27 July 2025.
5. Africa Cup of Nations: The countdown to the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has officially begun as the North African nation of Morocco prepares to host the continent’s premier football tournament for the second time. With the qualifiers over and the 24 teams competing in the tournament known, the 2025 AFCON will begin on 21 December next year and run until 18 January 2026. It will be the first time that the tournament is held over the Christmas and New Year period.
Ivorian international Seko Fofana has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Rennes, the Ligue 1 club announced Wednesday, after 18 months playing in Saudi Arabia.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who has 22 caps for the Ivory Coast, arrives on a deal estimated to be worth 20 million euros ($20.8 million).
The former Lens captain joined Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in the summer of 2023, after helping the French club return to the Champions League for the first time in 21 years.
But Fofana never really found his place on the pitch in the Middle East, whether at Al Nassr or during a loan spell at Al Ettifaq.
Rennes are struggling in 12th place in Ligue 1 – just four points above the relegation – zone and moved for Fofana who had worked with the Brittany club’s executive president Arnaud Pouille at Lens.
“There are talented players at Rennes and I think that the club is not in its rightful place,” said Fofana.
“It’s a team that I have often played against, it counts in this championship. I can’t wait to start.”
Tottenham Hotspur star, Pape Matar Sarr, has spoken about his rise in the football world.
The 22-year-old Senegalese midfielder in a chat on Showmax, discusses his journey to Spurs, admiration for Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy, and unwavering commitment to his national team.
Let’s take a look back at your past and talk about your journey so far. Tell us about your childhood in Senegal. What was Pape Matar Sarr’s childhood like?
I was an ambitious young man because my childhood was like that of other kids who dreamt of being football players. There were times when I was at school and other times when I was playing football in my neighbourhood, this is where I started. I liked playing football, so it was natural; I always had a ball with me. It was normal for me to call my friends to play football. But, yes, I was a little reserved, not very effusive. . . just like now, actually. I used to play a lot in my neighbourhood and even at home, in my mother’s bedroom. I used to kick the ball everywhere, so she wasn’t too happy with it.
You also come from a football family. Your dad coached; your brother played too. Tell us how important football was to your family?
Not only my father, but my whole family is involved in football. My grandparents, my uncles – everyone. My brother plays in Luxembourg as well. So, it’s normal that football became a cultural thing for us, so we had to play football. it was part of your daily life, part of your DNA. That is all I lived for. Even with my studies, as my dad was pushing me a bit, but he would rather give me football boots than books or pencils.
Were you good at school?
I was not too bad! But I was more focused on football.
Tell us about the time you arrived in Europe, at FC Metz.
I signed for FC Metz when I was already at Génération Foot. Those clubs have a partnership, so when they spot a player, they make him sign a contract, but he has to turn 18 before joining FC Metz. As for me, I joined FC Metz when I turned 18. It was a good experience, as my coach was Antonetti.
FC Metz is also a club where Mané played. Did it encourage you to sign for the club?
Of course. Like I said, when you hear that Sadio Mané joins a club and especially if you’re from Senegal, as he’s a role model for us. He played for Metz, so I thought: “why not do the same? ” From Génération Foot to FC Metz, and then, he just exploded. This was our dream too, and when you’re around the Génération Foot facilities, you will always hear people talk about his time there, as he went from Génération Foot to FC Metz. Abdoulaye Sarr also told me about the time Sadio was playing there. Ismaïla Sarr has had the same journey too so people talk a lot about those players. Of course, it inspires you and motivates you to follow the same path. FC Metz has been a good step for me.
A good step, but a quick one, as Tottenham were quick to make their move. Tell us about your first contact with Tottenham. Did they come looking for you fairly quickly?
Yes, they came looking for me because, at the time, I was only focused on football. Like you said, I was at Metz, and it all happened so fast. I played one season and Tottenham and other clubs were knocking on my door. I chose Tottenham because the club was well-organised, and their project convinced me, so I decided to go there. So, yes, it happened a bit too quickly, but in the end, it’s not too bad. I’ve waited for this moment for so long, was happy and satisfied because I thought that all the work, I had done was paying off. It was special, it was incredible.
Can you tell us about Tottenham? About your first season there?
I don’t really like talking about my debut at Tottenham because it wasn’t easy. It was a season full of tough times. But like I told you; I was ready for that. I already told myself it wouldn’t be easy. I had to work hard and every time I had the chance to play, even if it was five or ten minutes, I was trying to show what I could do. Back at Metz, I used to play every match, but at Tottenham, even being named in the match day squad was a luxury. It was complicated! But I’ve never stopped working, nor believing in myself because I knew that sooner or later, it would pay off.
Was the hardest thing not to play?
Yes. There were many hard things; the language was complicated, too. I was alone in London, it was difficult. There were times when I didn’t feel good. It wasn’t an excuse, but if you mix all this with what was happening on the pitch, things get very tough. I went from Génération Foot to FC Metz, and from Metz to Tottenham, so it wasn’t easy for me, but I knew that at some point, things would get better, and that I would seize the opportunity.
For someone like you who, in the space of three years, went from Senegal to scoring a goal against Manchester United in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium must have been unreal?
Yes, it was crazy and I remember after the match, I got a lot of text messages, especially from back home because, as you may know, there are a lot of United fans there. So, it made me happy. I took it in my stride because, ultimately, it was just a football match. But I will never forget that goal, at least for now.
What is your best memory with the national team?
The AFCON, obviously.
In 2022?
Yes, the one we won. It was truly amazing; it was the best moment of my entire football career. Winning the AFCON with Senegal. . . Wow! It was incredible, I want to relive it.
Was it the best time of your life?
Yes, we can say that. And want to experience it again. I want to win more trophies with Senegal. It was a beautiful and incredible moment.
What are your objectives for the season?
The objective is to win as many matches as possible, especially in the Premier League because, obviously, if you win every match, you’re bound to win something. As for the Europa League, of course, it’s another objective for us, but we’re focusing on the league as we have made a good start. We’ll take it one step at a time and see where it takes us.
