#2. Nigeria 🇳🇬
Population: 213.4 million
Nickname: Super Eagles
Appearances: 20th
Last Appearance: 2021
Coach: Jose Peseiro (Portugal)
Best AFCON results: Winners ( 1980, 1994, 2013)
Skipper: Ahmed Musah
Player to watch: Victor Osimhen
Region: WAFU
CAF Rankings: 6
FIFA Rankings: 42
Most capped player: Ahmed Musah (108)
Top Scorer: Rashidi Yekini (37 goals)
Nigeria coach Jose Pesseiro has been under immense pressure as the Super Eagles put up a shambolic performance in the opening fixtures of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Nigeria drew 1-1 in both games with many Nigerian fans calling for the sacking of the 63-year-old Portuguese manager, Jose Peseiro.
Victor Osimhen missed the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon due to injury but will be fired up for the 2023 AFCON. He was voted the best footballer on the continent in 2023 and the Nigerian superstar needs no introduction into the game as he is one of the best strikers in the world.
The Super Eagles last won AFCON in 2013 and the confidence for 4th triumph in Ivory Coast is less because fans think the team is not balanced enough. Nigeria has wonderful forward players who are exceeding expectations in European football but their midfield, defence and goalkeeping departments remain suspect.
Osimhen, Boniface, Chukueze, Lookman, Iheanacho, and Iwobi are the top players who will be a handful in Group A against Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.
The core of the team
Francis Uzoho remains Peseiro’s favourite as Maduka Okoye hasn’t been active at the club level. Super Eagles have a huge problem as Uzoho has proven to be not up to the standard to be a top goalkeeper.
Tyrone Ebuehe, Ola Aina, Bassey and Sanusi will defend Uzoho.
Ndidi, Henry Onyeka and Iwobi’s partnership in front of the back 4 hasn’t been as successful as expected.
Osimhen, Tella, Boniface, Iheanacho, and Lookman are all part of Peseiro’s attack.
Probable 11
4-2-3-1
Uzoho
Sanusi, Bassey, Ajayi, Aina
Ndidi, Onyeka
Simon, Iheanacho, Lookman
Osimhen
Notable legends
Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh, Jay Jay Okocha, Taribo West, John Mikel Obi, Vincent Enyeama, Yobo, Yekini, Kanu
Expectations: Quarter-Finals
Fixtures
Nigeria v Equatorial Guinea
Ivory Coast v Nigeria
Guinea Bissau v Nigeria
