Former Nigeria defender, Ben Iroha, has urged the Super Eagles not to underestimate any opponent during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco, Completesports.com reports.
Iroha, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad in Tunisia and part of the team that made its FIFA World Cup debut the same year under Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof, spoke to Completesports.com from his base in Texas, USA. His remarks followed Monday’s AFCON 2025 draw in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania—an outcome many believe is a ‘soft’ draw for the Super Eagles and Tunisia to progress easily to the knockout stage.
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However, the 55-year-old former left-back sees things differently, cautioning that it would be reckless to assume qualification is a foregone conclusion.
“It would be suicidal for anyone to start counting their chickens before the eggs hatch,” warned the former Elche and SBV Vitesse (Spain) wing-back, who also played for San Jose Earthquakes (USA) and Watford (England) during his illustrious career.
Iroha stressed that the days of so-called ‘easy’ games are over, as football has developed globally.
“Every country plays good football now and has improved their game,” he said when Completesports.com contacted him.
He further advised the Super Eagles to treat every match with the same intensity.
“The Super Eagles should not underrate any team. They should stick to their game plan and approach every match as if it were a final.”
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Iroha also analysed Nigeria’s group-stage opponents, highlighting Uganda and Tanzania’s physicality, while describing Tunisia as a technically gifted and tricky side—factors that could make the games unpredictable.
“But whatever the case, I’m a patriotic Nigerian, always wishing and praying for the team’s success. I know the joy and pride of lifting the trophy as a player, having won it in 1994,” he concluded.
Nigeria has won the AFCON title three times—in Lagos (1980), Tunisia (1994), and South Africa (2013). Tunisia have one title (2004), while Uganda and Tanzania are yet to win the continental crown. Both East African nations will be eager to change that in Morocco 2025.
By Sab Osuji
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