AFCON 2025: Chukwueze Says Super Eagles Ready to Chase Title

Samuel Chukwueze has declared that the Super Eagles are fully prepared to push for victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Fulham winger, who provided two assists in Nigeria’s 3–1 Group C win over Uganda, spoke to journalists during training ahead of their Round of 16 clash with Mozambique in Fes.

Chukwueze emphasised that every member of the squad, whether starting or on the bench, is ready to “give everything” in pursuit of the AFCON title Nigeria’s fourth continental crown.

“We are very calm and we know we are ready to face any team,” the winger insisted. “You can see in the last three games the team is ready to push to our goal which is the AFCON title.”

Editorial

There are moments in football that transcend routine preparation and approach something more akin to collective belief. Samuel Chukwueze’s recent remarks, asserting that the Super Eagles are ready to push for the 2025 AFCON title, capture precisely such a moment a rare combination of confidence rooted in performance and purpose grounded in identity.

Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco thus far has not been defined by fleeting brilliance alone but by an emerging coherence. In the 3–1 victory over Uganda, it was Chukwueze’s incisive dribbling and two assists that provided a spark, reminding observers that this team’s attack  fluid, dynamic yet disciplined can unsettle even the most prepared defences.

What distinguishes this iteration of the Super Eagles is a palpable maturity. There is, of course, the weight of expectation — Nigeria have long been counted among Africa’s elite but there is also evidence of collective calm. Chukwueze’s insistence that “everybody is ready to give everything” speaks not just to preparation, but to a shared belief that ambition and execution are aligned.

Yet Africa’s premier international tournament is a crucible where dreams are as easily forged as they are broken. Tactical nuance, squad depth, and psychological resilience will all be tested. Mozambique, making a historic knockout appearance, will arrive in Fes unencumbered by pressure and eager to write their own chapter in this competition.

For Nigeria, the path ahead demands more than individual flair it requires cohesion under pressure and a refusal to be defined solely by attacking promise. If Chukwueze exemplifies the creative spark, then the team’s broader success will be determined by its capacity to balance that spark with defensive solidity and strategic discipline.

In football’s grand narrative, hope without structure is fleeting. This Super Eagles side appears poised to temper belief with balance and if they do, they may find that this tournament is not just an opportunity, but a stage upon which a new chapter in Nigerian football is written.

Did You Know?

1. Nigeria topped Group C in AFCON 2025 with a perfect record, earning nine points from three matches before entering the knockout stage.
2. Samuel Chukwueze has over 50 caps for Nigeria and has become one of the squad’s most creative outlets with his pace and dribbling.
3. Chukwueze played a key role in Nigeria’s opening win over Tanzania, causing constant problems for their defence and contributing to the victory.
4. Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle has emphasised the importance of mentality over tactics as the team pushes deeper in the tournament.
5. Veteran midfielder Alex Iwobi was also influential in Nigeria’s group stage success, providing key link-up play and leadership on the pitch.