Ex-Leeds defender: Why Nigeria may not win AFCON despite perfect start
Former Leeds United defender Dylan Kerr has raised doubts about Nigeria's 2025 AFCON title chances in Morocco, citing their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification failure as a red flag. Speaking to Flashscore, Kerr argued that the Super Eagles' perfect group stage record could actually work against them.
Kerr's reasoning is counter-intuitive: teams that struggle early often reach finals, while dominant group stage performers face mounting pressure. "The good run in the group stage puts them under pressure because they have won all of them," he said. "Usually, the teams that struggle end up making the semi-finals and final."
His skepticism stems from deeper concerns: "Nigeria didn't qualify outright for the World Cup, so something must not be good on the side of their game." Despite topping their group with maximum points, Kerr believes Eric Chelle's side faces a psychological burden that could derail their knockout stage campaign.
With AFCON knockout rounds approaching, this raises questions about whether Nigeria's dominant form is sustainable or a false dawn. Are they peaking too early, or can they channel this pressure into motivation?