by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
Former Ivory Coast international and ex-Chelsea forward, Salomon Kalou, has said that the only team capable of stopping Nigeria from winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is his home country.
Kalou made the remark after Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, voiced strong optimism about Nigeria’s chances of lifting the continental trophy.
Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2–1 in the 2023 AFCON final in Abidjan, and Nwabali had said the Super Eagles are determined to produce a better outcome in the upcoming tournament.
Reacting to Nwabali’s comments during a SuperSport interview, Kalou said Nigeria’s path to victory would be smooth — provided they do not face the Elephants.
“For Nigeria to win, maybe they need to avoid Ivory Coast,” he quipped.
Reflecting on his country’s 2023 triumph, Kalou added: “It’s an incredible feeling to win, especially at home, in front of your people. No other experience compares to that. Winning for your country is something unique — it’s beyond what you feel when you win for your club in Europe.”
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C of the 2025 AFCON, alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.