As anticipation builds for the thirty fifth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles might discover themselves pitted in opposition to the likes of Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and Mali’s Eagles in what guarantees to be an exciting match.
The draw ceremony for the celebrated competitors will happen on Monday night on the Mohamed V Nationwide Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.
The occasion will set the stage for Africa’s best footballing nations to battle it out in a match scheduled to run from 21 December to 18 January 2026.
Pot 1
Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, have been positioned in Pot 1 alongside heavyweights resembling Egypt, the document seven-time winners; defending champions Côte d’Ivoire; two-time winners Algeria; hosts Morocco, who clinched the title in 1976; and 2021 winners Senegal.
Representing Nigeria on the draw might be Tremendous Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle, Group Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) Technical and Improvement Committee, Rabiu Inuwa.
Historic rivalry with Cameroon
Cameroon holds a singular distinction in AFCON historical past, having crushed Nigeria in additional finals than another nation.
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The Indomitable Lions famously triumphed over the Tremendous Eagles in three title matches—1984, 1988, and 2000—solidifying a fierce rivalry that has outlined African soccer for many years.
As five-time champions, Cameroon is at all times a formidable opponent and a possible group-stage conflict would reignite one of many continent’s most storied soccer rivalries.
Mali: A private take a look at for Coach Chelle
For Tremendous Eagles Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle, a possible matchup in opposition to Mali would carry private significance.
Chelle, Franco-Malian will face the distinctive problem of main Nigeria in opposition to his residence nation ought to the 2 nations meet.
Mali, although but to win an AFCON title, has constantly been a powerful contender within the match, boasting a group wealthy in younger expertise and physicality.
This encounter would add an emotional subplot to Nigeria’s marketing campaign.
Chelle led Mali to the quarter-final stage on the final AFCON match.
Distinctive AFCON
This version of AFCON is notable for its scheduling, being the primary to span two calendar years. Morocco, internet hosting the match for the primary time since 1988, isn’t any stranger to main soccer occasions.
Though the North African nation was initially slated to host the 2015 finals, it withdrew because of Ebola considerations.
Since then, Morocco has hosted a number of important tournaments, together with the 2018 African Nations Championship (which it received), the 2022 Girls’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2023 FIFA Membership World Cup. Morocco can even co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
Nigeria’s wealthy AFCON legacy
The Tremendous Eagles boast a formidable document in AFCON historical past, with 16 medals from 20 earlier appearances.
They’re three-time champions (1980, 1994, 2013), five-time runners-up (1984, 1988, 1990, 2000, 2023), and eight-time bronze medalists. Solely twice—of their debut in 1963 and as defending champions in 1982—have they did not progress past the group stage.
Nigeria’s twenty first look on this 12 months’s match ties them with DR Congo and Algeria. In the meantime, Egypt leads with 27 appearances, adopted by Côte d’Ivoire (26) and Cameroon and Tunisia (22 every).
READ ALSO: INTERVIEW: What Nigerians ought to do for brand new Tremendous Eagles coach – Femi Ajilore
Historic highlights and legends
Nigeria has performed 104 AFCON matches, rating fourth general behind Egypt (111), Côte d’Ivoire (106), and Ghana (105).
Legendary Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, now President of FECAFOOT, holds the document for many objectives scored within the match (18 objectives in 29 matches).
Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini, a nationwide icon, scored 13 objectives throughout 4 tournaments between 1988 and 1994.
Outstanding figures in African soccer, together with Essam El Hadary, Patrick Mboma, Aymen Mathlouthi, and Gervinho, will attend the draw ceremony.
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
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