Super Eagles Land in Fès to Begin AFCON 2025 Campaign

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Fès, Morocco, marking the start of their final preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals. The squad and team officials touched down in the historic city on Thursday evening ahead of their Group C assignments at the competition.

Head coach Éric Chelle’s men had spent the past five days training in Cairo, Egypt, including a 2-1 friendly defeat to seven-time champions Egypt in their final warm-up match.

The Eagles are expected to intensify training on Friday as they fine-tune tactics and team cohesion ahead of their AFCON opener.  Nigeria, three-time African champions, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, with all group fixtures scheduled at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. Their tournament kicks off against Tanzania next Tuesday.

Editorial

When the Super Eagles step onto the Fès pitch later this month, they will carry with them expectations that resonate far beyond the borders of Morocco. This is not merely about tactics drilled in training or jerseys pressed for matchday it is about the moment when individual ambition intersects with a nation’s longing for continental redemption. Nigeria a three-time champion of Africa has not returned to AFCON glory in over a decade, and the weight of that history lingers like an unplayed chord, waiting for the right touch.

Their arrival in Fès is more than a logistical waypoint in a hectic tournament calendar it signals the transition from preparation to purpose. In Cairo, the Eagles experienced a sobering but instructive defeat to Egypt a reminder that pedigree and potential alone do not win tournaments. Such matches, while painful in the moment, often reveal the fissures that must be addressed long before the final whistle of a decisive AFCON clash.

The beauty of Fès with its ancient walls and labyrinthine medina mirrors the challenge that lies ahead a blend of artistry and grit. Coach Éric Chelle will know that his side’s path will be less about star names on paper and more about the alchemy of collective belief. The Eagles possess a remarkable blend of youth and experience, from veteran campaigners to forwards whose pace and invention can disrupt any defence. Yet the truth of international tournaments is that football, like life, often rewards the prepared and the resilient above all else.

As the sun sets each evening over the ochre rooftops of Fès and rises again on training grounds echoing with shouts and drills, Nigeria’s hopes will be quietly forged. There will be no silver guarantee of triumph, but there will be a growing sense that this camp, this city, this collective purpose is where a narrative might just be reclaimed. And in that quiet forging — away from media frenzy and the feverish expectations of millions perhaps the Super Eagles will build not just a team, but a campaign worthy of the continent’s highest honour.

Did You Know?

1. Morocco as AFCON Host  The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is the first AFCON tournament hosted entirely by Morocco, although the country previously co-hosted the 1988 edition with Algeria.
2. Fès’ Stadium Legacy  The Complexe Sportif de Fès, where Nigeria will play their group matches, has a capacity of over 45,000 spectators and has hosted major continental finals in the CAF competitions.
3. Nigeria’s AFCON Record With three titles (1980, 1994, 2013), Nigeria is one of Africa’s most decorated teams but has often exited in the quarter- or semi-final stages in recent editions.
4. Double Sessions  After their later-than-expected arrival in Fès, the Super Eagles adjusted their schedule to hold two training sessions in one day to compensate and stay on track.
5. Group C Battles  Nigeria’s Group C rivals include Tunisia and Uganda, teams with contrasting styles — Tunisia bringing tactical discipline and Uganda known for physical intensity — making the group phase unpredictably competitive.