John Obi Mikel Fires Up Super Eagles Ahead of AFCON 2025
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has sent a powerful message to Nigeria’s national team, urging them to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as preparations for the tournament intensify.
The former Chelsea star reacted shortly after head coach Eric Chelle unveiled Nigeria’s final 28-man squad, officially drawing the curtain on the selection process ahead of Africa’s biggest football competition.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, enter AFCON 2025 with something to prove. After a difficult spell that included failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament presents a crucial opportunity for redemption on the continental stage.
Chelle had earlier released a 55-man provisional list before trimming it to meet CAF’s deadline. While the final squad includes several players poised for possible international debuts, the absence of high-profile names such as Christantus Uche, Maduka Okoye, and Tolu Arokodare has already sparked conversation among fans.
Reacting via Instagram, Mikel—who led Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013—kept his message short but loaded with meaning: “Bring it home lads.”
Despite recent inconsistencies against lower-ranked opposition, the Super Eagles remain one of the favourites for the title. Nigeria has a reputation for rising when expectations are uncertain, as seen in the last AFCON where they reached the final, and they could once again surprise Africa by claiming a fourth continental crown in Morocco.