Nigeria will win AFCON — Alex Iwobi

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi is confident in Nigeria’s chances of lifting the AFCON title in Morocco next year, noting that the squad was primed to do it. 

Iwobi is the longest-serving member of the current squad, and as such, he was part of the contingents that won bronze in Egypt in 2019 and silver at AFCON 2023 in Cote d'Ivoire. 

The Super Eagles last tasted success in the competition in 2013, two years before Iwobi made his debut. And in a recent interview, he stated that winning the trophy was the next step for the current crop. 

In a bid to generate global buzz for the AFCON, which is set to run from December 21 to January 18 (during the middle of the European football season), CAF has announced a European trophy tour. 

The tour kicked off in London, featuring Iwobi along with another former Arsenal midfielder, Alex Song, and the club's former co-owner, David Dein. There was also some Afrobeats representation, with Odumodublvk and Stonebwoy said to be in attendance. 

Iwobi spoke to Ay Shuga at the event when he was asked about Nigeria’s chances of lifting that title. He said, “Yes, of course, the last AFCON, we were really close, but the only way we can improve from the last AFCON is to win the next one.”

“We’ve got the players to do so; we believe so, we just have to prove it. I’ll like to speak into existence; I want to manifest, so I’d like to say Nigeria will win it.”

Meanwhile, the support and environment around the team may be gloomy at the moment, following their failure to qualify for the World Cup. However, a successful outing in Morocco could alter the team’s perception. Implementing some or all of the changes Pulse Sports highlighted could go a long way toward making that dream become reality.