The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly set to reschedule the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a December date in view, a decision that could have major ramifications for new Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
While official confirmation is still awaited, reports from Egyptian journalist H. Amir, on his +90 Sports Show via Sports World Ghana, suggest CAF has abandoned its initial plans to host the tournament in July 2025.
According to the reports, a potential clash with the newly expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to be played in the USA has necessitated the date change. Morocco won the hosting rights for the 2025 AFCON, defeating both a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin, and Algeria’s solo bid
Rescheduling the 2025 AFCON for December would throw a curveball at the freshly-minted 53-year-old Nigeria coach, whose primary objective, as enshrined in his two-year contract with the NFF, is to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup. Let’s go deeper into the situation.
Finidi George took over the reins of the national team in May 2024 after a successful audition period as caretaker coach during the March international friendlies. His primary and critical objective, as outlined by the NFF, is to qualify Nigeria for the 2026 World Cup. The World Cup qualifiers are scheduled to run until October 2025.
If AFCON is indeed moved to December 2025, a scenario could emerge in which Finidi George is judged solely on World Cup qualification, robbing him of a chance to manage at the AFCON.
The pressure to qualify for the World Cup is immense. If Nigeria fails under Finidi’s watch – and by October 2025, when the Super Eagles play their final 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, it should be clear if the former Ajax winger has fulfilled his mandate – the NFF might be forced to make a tough decision, potentially terminating his contract even before the December AFCON.
The timing of AFCON has long been a source of contention. Traditionally held in January and February, it disrupts the European club season, forcing clubs to release key players in the middle of their campaigns. The 2019 edition in Egypt, held in June and July, offered a temporary solution, but the issue persists as the subsequent two editions, in 2021 and 2023, reverted to January dates and were therefore held in the following years of 2022 and 2024 respectively.
Nigeria desperately needs to pick up points in June after a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles have drawn their opening two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, leaving them in third place in Group C.
The team narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana in a heart-wrenching playoff. They are aiming to avoid a similar fate and secure their place in the 2026 tournament in North America.
Nigeria’s dream run at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ended in heartbreak as they fell 2-1 to the hosts, Ivory Coast, in the final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on February 11th, 2024.
Despite going unbeaten through to the final under coach Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles conceded two second-half goals and were unable to find an equalizer against the Ivorians. This defeat marked a bittersweet end to Nigeria’s campaign, showcasing their potential while leaving them just short of continental glory. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, claimed their third AFCON title, adding to their triumphs in 1992 and 2015 and equalling Nigeria’s tally in the process.
Shaibu Amodu first managed the Nigerian national team from April 2001 to February 2002. During this tenure, he led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2002 AFCON in Mali. However, he was dismissed after the tournament in a decision he deemed “unfair.” Amodu later stated that, a month later, he had yet to receive a formal letter confirming his dismissal. He was re-appointed Head Coach in April 2008 and led the team to a third-place finish at the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, despite being sacked shortly after.
Augustine Eguavoen was appointed caretaker coach of the Nigeria national team in June 2005, leading his staff that included Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, and Ike Shorunmu. He led the team to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, defeating Senegal in the third-place play-off. However, he was sacked later that year in April 2006. On 12 December 2021, Eguavoen was again appointed manager of Nigeria on an interim basis for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, following Gernot Rohr’s departure. Following Nigeria’s exit in the round of sixteen at the 2021 AFCON, he returned to his role as Technical Director.
Stephen Keshi took the helm of the Nigeria national team in 2011, guiding them to qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He led them to a dramatic victory in the final, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0. Keshi briefly resigned after the victory, then reversed his decision.
Keshi achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first African coach to qualify two different nations (Nigeria and Togo) for the World Cup (2005 and 2013). He also helped Nigeria become the first country to win the African Cup of Nations and qualify for the World Cup in the same year (2013).
Nigeria, under Keshi’s leadership, progressed to the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup. Despite a challenging group stage with a draw, a narrow win, and a close loss, they advanced due to a favorable result in another match. Their journey ended in the first knockout round against France.
Keshi’s contract expired in July 2014 after Nigeria’s World Cup exit and was not renewed by the NFF.
Adegboye Onigbinde coached the Nigeria national team at the 2002 World Cup, a repeat achievement from his earlier tenure between 1982 and 1984. In 1984, he led Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, ultimately falling 1-3 to Cameroon. He took over the reins in 2002 following the dismissal of Shuaibu Amodu’s coaching crew after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations performance. Nigeria, under Onigbinde, didn’t win a single match at the 2002 World Cup, marking their worst performance in the tournament’s history.
Christian Chukwu led Nigeria to a commendable semi-final finish at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. However, his tenure was cut short during the 2006 World Cup qualification campaign due to criticisms of his coaching style and team management. The turning point came in their crucial matches against Angola, where Nigeria failed to secure a win under Chukwu’s leadership. This ultimately led to Nigeria’s shocking exit from World Cup qualification, ending their streak of appearances since their debut in 1994.
Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan’s expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.
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