Renowned football coach Philippe Troussier, famously known as the 'White Witch Doctor', has identified Nigeria's Super Eagles as strong contenders to clinch the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.
World Cup Disappointment as Motivation
The 70-year-old former manager of Japan, Burkina Faso, and Vietnam believes Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup could serve as powerful motivation for the team. Troussier explained that this setback might psychologically impact players and fans, but could transform into a driving force for success in the continental tournament.
"The Super Eagles of Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup may leave a clear psychological impact on the players and fans," Troussier stated. "The danger lies in the frustration turning into excessive pressure within the tournament, and it may turn into a strong motivation if the team makes a good start."
He emphasized that Nigeria possesses all the necessary potential to advance deep into the competition, with the primary challenge being mental management. "Nigeria has all the potential to go far, and the challenge remains in managing the mental aspect and turning frustration into positive energy," he added.
Troussier's Complete Favourites List
According to reports from FilGoal, the experienced tactician provided a comprehensive list of teams he considers frontrunners for the AFCON 2025 trophy. While naming Nigeria among the favourites, he placed host nation Morocco at the forefront due to their impressive developmental programs and rising profile in youth categories.
Troussier's list of tournament favourites includes:
- Morocco (top favourite)
- Ivory Coast (defending champions)
- Senegal
- Algeria
- South Africa
- Cameroon
- Nigeria
- Egypt
He specifically highlighted Morocco's advantages, noting "the popular momentum and the rising stage that the national team is going through." Regarding defending champions Ivory Coast, he pointed to their technical capabilities, player quality, physical strength, and European experience as factors that could help them retain the title.
Nigerian Confidence and Group Stage Challenge
The tournament officially commenced on December 21, 2025, with Morocco securing a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the opening match, courtesy of goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi.
Nigeria finds itself in a group with Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Troussier believes the Super Eagles have a strong chance of progressing from this group into the knockout stages. This optimism is echoed by Nigerian sports journalist Idowu Ojomu, who expressed unwavering confidence in the team's capabilities during an exclusive comment with Legit.ng.
"We have one of the best squads at this year's AFCON, and no one can stop us," Ojomu declared. "Unfortunately, we missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite having the best forward and wingers in the world. The only way the Super Eagles can make us happy is by bringing the trophy back home."
Adding to the pre-tournament analysis, former Shooting Stars SC chairman Dimeji Lawal emphasized the importance of Nigeria's opening match. He stated that securing a victory against Tanzania is crucial for building team confidence and making a strong statement at the competition.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Super Eagles can harness their perceived psychological motivation and translate their undeniable potential into a fourth AFCON championship for Nigeria.
