Iwobi: World Cup Failure Fuels Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Ambition

Nigeria head into the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 determined to redeem themselves after missing out on a second successive World Cup.

For midfielder Alex Iwobi, the disappointment of failing to qualify has become the team’s biggest source of motivation as they prepare to chase continental glory.

Iwobi admitted the setback was painful but insists the Super Eagles are channeling that frustration into their AFCON campaign.

‘It was a big disappointment,’ he told the BBC. ‘We owe it to ourselves to make it right, and there’s no better way from the last Afcon to improve than just to win this one.’

Nigeria, three-time champions with their last triumph coming in 2013, are aiming to add a fourth title in Morocco.

Their most recent heartbreak came against Ivory Coast, a defeat Iwobi says ‘shattered’ their dreams. Yet he also acknowledged the poignancy of Sébastien Haller’s winning goal, scored after the striker’s recovery from testicular cancer.

‘It was a tough loss, but you give credit when credit is due, they deserved it,’ Iwobi reflected.

Now, the Super Eagles are determined to write a new story.

‘It’s also fuelled us and we’ve been working hard to get into the Afcon again and, hopefully, this is our story,’ Iwobi added