Latest News
Taiwo Awoniyi Urges Nigerians to Back Super Eagles Ahead of 2025 AFCON Campaign
Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has called on Nigerians to throw their full support behind the national team as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Awoniyi, who has been sidelined from the Super Eagles in recent times due to injury, spoke amid growing reservations from fans over the list of players selected by head coach Eric Chelle.
Speaking during a chat with Channels TV, the Nottingham Forest forward urged understanding and unity.
“It is always a great list no matter the player that gets on the list. Not everyone can be on the list. That’s what every player needs to accept and that’s what the country also needs to know,” Awoniyi said.
“Once the coach brings out the list, the coach knows what he wants, he has seen the players, and he made the decision. Everyone needs to accept it, and the whole country just needs to support the boys and give them the maximum support they need and hopefully, by God’s grace, the cup will be ours.”
Meanwhile, Awoniyi’s club teammate Ola Aina made a notable return from injury, featuring for Nottingham Forest’s reserve team in a 2–1 victory over Millwall. The defender had been sidelined since sustaining an injury during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa in September, with Friday night marking his first appearance since the setback.
Despite his comeback, Aina was omitted from Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the AFCON tournament.
Nigeria will begin their Group C campaign against Tanzania on December 23, before taking on Tunisia on December 27 and concluding the group stage with a clash against Uganda on December 30.
