AFCON 2025: The glaring Super Eagles deficiency that could cripple trophy aspirations in Morocco

Former AFCON-winning coach Claude Le Roy has never been one to dress his opinions, and his latest take on the Super Eagles carries that familiar blunt edge.

Nigeria’s return of 20 goals across their World Cup qualifying run looks decent on paper, but the veteran coach believes the headline figure hides more than it reveals. 

In his view, the finishing may have been loud, but the opposition was not strong enough to measure where the attack truly stands. “When you don’t qualify for the World Cup and you are Nigeria,” he said, “I’m not impressed by the statistics of 20 goals in 12 matches with the offensive potential they have.”

His assessment came during an appearance on Canal+, where he questioned the value of celebrating numbers earned against teams he considers far from top level.

“It’s not against irresistible teams, but Benin and Gabon. So we need to put things into perspective.”

Will lack of top-level opposition affect Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025?

Le Roy also tied the issue directly to Eric Chelle’s preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). Without high-quality opposition between tournaments, Chelle has had little room to test his attacking structure against elite setups. 

Other than South Africa, Nigeria have not faced many teams that stretch or expose their weaknesses since the last edition. That gap, the Frenchman argued, could matter when the margins tighten in Morocco.

The concerns arrive at a delicate time for the Super Eagles. Chelle must not only settle on his preferred front line but also find a rhythm that holds up beyond the group stage. The three-time African champions have the names, but the cohesion remains a work in progress. 

AFCON knockout rounds are rarely forgiving, and teams that thrive there usually sharpen their edges against strong opponents beforehand. Nigeria’s path has not offered many of those tests, which leaves Chelle navigating uncertainty while trying to restore confidence after the World Cup miss.

The attack will decide how far the Super Eagles go, but it must evolve faster than it has in recent months.