The stage is set for the draw ceremony of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place on Monday evening at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, three-time African champions, have been placed in Pot A alongside African heavyweights Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Cote d’Ivoire.
The prestigious event will see Super Eagles Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle, Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, and the Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, represent Nigeria at the colorful ceremony in Casablanca.
The tournament, which kicks off on December 21, 2025, and runs until January 18, 2026, marks a historic first for AFCON by spanning two calendar years.
This will also be the first time Morocco has hosted the tournament since 1988, a competition won by Cameroon.
The North African nation, however, has established itself as a major hub for international football, hosting events such as the African Nations Championship in 2018, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023.
Morocco is also set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The Super Eagles hold an impressive record in the 68-year-old competition, having won the tournament three times (1980, 1994, and 2013).
Nigeria has also finished as runners-up on five occasions and claimed the bronze medal eight times, bringing their total medal tally to a record 16 in 20 appearances.
Their journey at AFCON has been marked by consistent performances, with quarterfinal exits in 2008, a second-round elimination in 2021, and only two group-stage exits—in their debut in 1963 and as defending champions in 1982.
In total, Nigeria has played 104 matches in AFCON finals, ranking fourth overall behind Egypt (111), Cote d’Ivoire (106), and Ghana (105).
The Super Eagles, placed in Pot 1, will avoid other top-tier teams like Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt during the group stage. However, they could face strong contenders from Pots 2, 3, or 4.
The draw is expected to unveil exciting group-stage matchups as teams gear up for Africa’s most prestigious football competition. For Nigeria, the journey to reclaiming continental glory begins in Rabat.