AFCON
How time flies? It’s 45 years since Nigeria’s first AFCON glory
It is 45 years since Nigeria first tasted victory in the Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.
That was March 22, 1980, when Nigeria beat Algeria 3-0 in the final match to lift an Organization of African Unity (OAU)-donated trophy which was the replacement of the original trophy that Ghana had won for keeps after three victories.
The new trophy was tagged the ‘Unity Cup’. Christian Chukwu, Nigeria’s skipper, later voted as the best player of the tournament, became the first footballer to lift the trophy.
It was Nigeria’s biggest achievement in football at the time.
The feat of the 1980 class of Nigeria’s national football team opened a new chapter for Nigerian football and inspired generations of younger players to excel on the field of play.
It was the first time Nigeria featured in the title match. Nigeria went on to play seven more final matches and succeeded in two of such in 1994 and 2013.
Sadly, some of the heroes of 1980 are no more. Those who have passed on include Best Ogedegbe who was in goal, Muda Lawal, the scorer of the final goal, Okey Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atuegbu and Martin Eyo.
Thus only 14 of the 20 heroes of 1980 are alive. Even the coach, Brazil’s Professor Otto Gloria, has passed on.
That probably prompted one of the heroes, Felix Owolabi, whose solitary goal against Morocco in the semi-final launched Nigeria into the title match, to express gratitude to God for keeping him alive.
In a message to Sports Village Square, Owolabi who clocked 70 last September 24, remarked: “Today is exactly 45 years since Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations for the first time.
“The National Team at that time “Green Eagles” made Nigeria proud. Thank God today I am celebrating this day with a special prayer because I belong to that historic team.
“Kindly help me thank God.1980, became the real tonic for my football career as also an undergraduate at the University of Lagos
They not only arrested the attention of world football, but they also opened opportunities for others to pursue professional football.
“A big congratulations to all members of that great team for winning the Nations Cup for the first time on home soil. Their achievement brings fond memories to us about the never-say-die Nigerian spirit.”
The 22-man squad of 1980 are: Best Ogedegbe, David Adiele, Okey Isima, Muda Lawal, Christian Chukwu, Tunde Bamidele, Segun Odegbami, Aloysius Atuegbu, Ifeanyi Onyeadika, John Orlando, Felix Owolabi, Adokie Amiesimaka, Godwin Odiye, Sylvanus Okpala, Emmanuel Okala, Martins Eyo, Moses Effiong, Sheffiu Mohammed, Charles Bassey, Frank Onwuachi, Henry Nwosu and Kadiri Ikhana.
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Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, is set to witness a thrilling contest in Group C, where Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania will battle for a place in the knockout rounds.
With two former AFCON champions and two East African teams eager to make their mark, this group promises to be one of the most competitive in the tournament.
Nigeria Begins Campaign Against Tanzania, Tunisia Faces Uganda
Group C action kicks off on December 23, 2025, with Nigeria taking on Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès.
The Super Eagles, three-time AFCON winners, will aim to start strong against Tanzania, who are still seeking their first-ever knockout stage qualification.
The same day will also see Tunisia facing Uganda at Stade Annexe of Prince Moulay in Rabat, a key encounter that could determine the early group leaders.
The Carthage Eagles, winners of the 2004 AFCON, will look to assert their dominance, while Uganda’s Cranes will be eager to cause an upset.
Super Eagles Face Tunisia in a Crucial Clash
One of the standout matches in Group C will be the Nigeria vs Tunisia showdown on December 27 at Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès.
This fixture revives an old rivalry, with Tunisia having famously knocked Nigeria out of AFCON 2021 in the Round of 16. The Super Eagles will be determined to exact revenge.
Meanwhile, the East African derby will unfold on the same day as Uganda battles Tanzania at Stade El Bardi in Rabat.
The encounter will carry extra significance as both nations will co-host AFCON 2027, and this match will serve as an early test of their competitiveness.
Final Group C Showdowns on December 31
The last round of Group C matches will take place on December 31, with Uganda facing Nigeria at Complexe Sportif de Fès in Fès.
By this stage, Uganda may need to pull off an upset to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
At the same time, Tunisia will take on Tanzania at Stade Annexe of Prince Moulay in Rabat, a fixture that could be crucial for both teams’ qualification hopes.
With only two automatic qualification spots and a possible third-place route to the Round of 16, Group C is set to be one of the most unpredictable groups in AFCON 2025.
Group C Fixtures – AFCON 2025
Matchday Fixture Date Stadium City 1 Nigeria vs Tanzania 23 Dec 2025 Complexe Sportif de Fès Fès 1 Tunisia vs Uganda 23 Dec 2025 Stade Annexe – Prince Moulay Rabat 2 Uganda vs Tanzania 27 Dec 2025 Stade El Bardi Rabat 2 Nigeria vs Tunisia 27 Dec 2025 Complexe Sportif de Fès Fès 3 Uganda vs Nigeria 30 Dec 2025 Complexe Sportif de Fès Fès 3 Tunisia vs Tanzania 30 Dec 2025 Stade Annexe – Prince Moulay Rabat
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Africa’s football governing body, CAF has released the full fixtures for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco.
Click here to download the full match schedule
Nine stadiums, the highest so far, will be used. They are spread across six cities for the continent’s greatest football show.
Morocco and Comoros will kick off the tournament on 21 December 2025 with a Group A fixture at the newly-built 69,500-seater Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, a fitting stage for the grand opening.
Rabat will have four match venues, with other host cities Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier to have one each.
The four quarter-final fixtures will be played at the Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, as well as in Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir.
The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, with the third-place play-off set for the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
There will be 52 matches over 29 days in a feast of football for fans that showcases the skill and passion of African football.
Click here to download the full match schedule
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Head coach of the Taifa Stars, Hemed Suleiman Ali has admitted that his team has zero options after being grouped with two former champions, Nigeria and Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In an interview with CAFOnline, Ali remarked that his team was condemned to overcome the two tough opponents to get beyond the group stage.
Morocco 2025 will be Tanzania’s fourth outing having debuted in Nigeria in 1980 and qualifying for a second time at Egypt 2019 after being guided by a Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amuneke.
They made their third outing at Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The Tanzania head coach was reacting to Monday evening’s AFCON Morocco 2025 draw in Rabat which saw the East Africans drawn in an interesting group that pairs them with neighbours Uganda, as well as two former African champions Nigeria and Tunisia.
He remarked that every group of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 presents its challenges and that their Group C pool is no different to any of the other five groups.
Tanzania, a fast-growing African football nation is headed to its Africa Cup of Nations, with their third in Cote d’Ivoire.
“We are ready. We saw who we are going to play with. I think it’s a tough group but it’s tough for all of them. There is no easy group. If you have qualified for this stage of the competition, you have to prepare. We know who we are facing, and we know how we will prepare for them. There is no other way, we have to prepare well and represent our people well at this tournament” said the 54-year-old coach.
The Morocco finals mark the coach’s second consecutive appearance as head coach of the Taffia Stars.
Suleiman Ali took over the reins from as Interim Coach at the Cote d’Ivoire finals after the dismissal of Adel Amrouche in the group stages.
Under his guidance, Tanzania qualified for the finals through back-to-back victories against Guinea and Ethiopia, including a crucial 1-0 win over Guinea, sealed by Saimon Happygod Msuva’s decisive goal.
Tanzania will also be hoping to secure their first win of the competition, having played 9 matches, drawn three and lost six.
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