Hunter or hunted? Are Super Eagles ready for AFCON 2025 knockout gauntlet?

Victor Osimhen has put everyone on notice at AFCON 2025, insisting the Super Eagles have the tools to take on  and overpower  any opponent standing between them and a long-awaited continental crown. 

The forward spoke with conviction after Nigeria wrapped up the group phase with a flawless run, rounding off victories against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda with a rotated side that still imposed its authority.

The Galatasaray striker believes that sequence has sharpened confidence across the squad and reinforced the Super Eagles’ credentials heading into the knock-out rounds. Asked whether the Super Eagles now sit among the leading contenders, Osimhen did not hesitate. “Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites,” he said, adding that the group is ready for whatever the tournament throws at them next. Mozambique await in the Round of 16 on January 5.

“We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament.

“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent. We respect any team that scales through but we are not scared of anybody.”

AFCON 2025: A demanding route through a stacked bracket for the Super Eagles

The path in front of the Super Eagles backs up Osimhen’s assertion that Nigeria must be prepared for heavyweight contests at every stage.

Should they advance past Mozambique, a quarter-final meeting would line them up against the winners of Algeria vs DR Congo, a tie loaded with narrative, not least given recent World Cup qualifying battles.

Work goes on 🦅🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/t7VJA5T6QV

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 1, 2026

Beyond that, a potential semi-final could bring a clash with the side emerging from a cluster featuring Morocco, Tanzania, South Africa and the Group F runners-up, a section many observers regard as the toughest half of the draw. It sets up the possibility of a high-stakes showdown with Morocco in Fes, a match-up that would test Nigeria’s structure, discipline and attacking edge.

If Victor Osimhen and his teammates push through to Rabat on January 18, the final would present an opponent from the opposite bracket, a field that could include Senegal, Mali, Egypt, Tunisia, Benin or whichever of Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique secure safe passage from Group F permutations.