AFCON: No pressure in camp, says Ndidi as Nigeria face Tanzania

Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has dismissed any talk of pressure in the Nigerian camp, saying the team is calm, united, and fully focused ahead of their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Tanzania.

Ndidi spoke on Monday ahead of the Group C encounter, insisting that the players are mentally prepared and eager to begin their campaign on a positive note.

Ndidi at the pre-match press conference said, “The spirit in the camp is very high, we’re very energised. This game is very important for us because it sets the momentum. The guys are ready, everyone is ready — from the players to the staff. Everyone is focused on this game.”

Nigeria head into the clash with an impressive record at the AFCON group stage, having lost just one of their last 14 matches, recording 10 wins and three draws. The Super Eagles have also remained unbeaten in their opening fixtures in each of the last three editions of the tournament.

Their opponents, Tanzania, are appearing at the AFCON finals for only the fourth time. The Taifa Stars are yet to record a win in 10 matches at the competition and have lost all three of their previous opening games.

Ndidi, who was recently appointed Super Eagles captain following the international retirement of William Troost-Ekong, said the responsibility has not added any extra burden on him, citing the support within the squad and technical crew.

“To be honest, there’s no pressure. We’ve got senior players in the team helping out, along with the coach and the staff. I’ve been here learning from the former captain, Troost-Ekong, so there’s no pressure at all,’’ Ndidi said.

Nigeria goes into the tournament with unfinished business after finishing as runners-up at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where they lost to the host nation in the final. Ndidi said that experience has strengthened the team’s resolve to aim higher this time.

“There are lots of lessons from the last AFCON. We set the standard by getting to the final, but unfortunately, we couldn’t win the trophy. We cannot go below that level. The standards are already high, and the team is ready,’’ he said.

Despite Nigeria being widely regarded as favourites against Tanzania, Ndidi warned against complacency, stressing that every team at the tournament deserves respect.

“Every country that has qualified for the AFCON cannot be underrated. “They are capable of competing for the trophy. We are here to contend, not just to compete,” he said.

The Super Eagles will open their 2025 AFCON campaign against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. The other Group C match between Tunisia and Uganda will take place later at the Stade Olympique de Rabat.