Former Super Eagles midfielder Edema Fuludu has cautioned fans against underestimating Nigeria’s opponents in Group C of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which includes Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Fuludu emphasized that the competition will not be a walk in the park for the Super Eagles.
Fuludu, who was part of the Nigerian squad that clinched the AFCON title in 1994, expressed concern over the prevailing sentiment that the group is relatively easy. He stated, “Nigeria’s group is not easy at all. Why do we have to call it an easy group? Is it because we have more than enough professionals?”
The former midfielder highlighted the evolution of football, noting that the landscape has changed significantly and that no team can be considered a “minnow” anymore. “Football has changed a lot. Let us be prepared. While it is on paper that Nigeria is a football powerhouse in Africa, we can’t be too sure of what others have under their sleeves,” he remarked.
Fuludu pointed out that many analysts are favoring Nigeria and Tunisia to advance from the group, often overlooking the capabilities of Uganda and Tanzania.
He stressed the importance of preparation, stating, “Nowadays, football has gone way farther than that; it now depends on the preparations before the competition.”
As the Super Eagles gear up for the 35th AFCON, set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, Fuludu reiterated the need for thorough preparation to ensure success. “We can only get the job done through adequate preparations. If not, we will be shocked,” he warned.
He further advised the team to take each match as it comes, emphasizing the necessity of winning the first two encounters to secure qualification. “The objective must be to win the AFCON this time around. We need that cup, and that is what we should be striving for,” Fuludu asserted.
Fuludu also noted that while Nigeria boasts a wealth of talented players, teamwork will be crucial for success. “These players have lost matches we didn’t believe they would lose,” he said. He called for strong technical, financial, and emotional support from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to help the team achieve its goals.
“The objective of the newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, is to qualify us for the World Cup, which will be the toughest part of his contract in the six remaining games,” Fuludu concluded, underscoring the importance of robust support systems behind the scenes.
The upcoming AFCON will be a historic event, as it marks the first time Africa’s premier football tournament will span two calendar years. Morocco, which last hosted the tournament in 1988, will once again welcome the continent’s best teams after previously withdrawing from hosting the 2015 finals due to health concerns.
