AFCON 2025: ‘We owe it to ourselves’—Ndidi targets redemption in Tunisia tie

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi admits that the scars of Nigeria’s 2021 AFCON exit at the hands of Tunisia have not fully healed, serving as a powerful motivator ahead of their high-stakes Group C clash this Saturday.

The Leicester City midfielder was at the heart of the action in Cameroon four years ago when a heavily favored Nigerian side was stunned 1-0 by the Carthage Eagles in the Round of 16 of AFCON—a match best remembered for the North Africans’ tactical discipline and a controversial red card handed to Alex Iwobi.

Addressing the media during Friday’s pre-match press conference, Ndidi emphasized that the squad is determined to avoid a repeat of that tactical collapse.

“It was a painful loss, but it gives us more confidence now,” Ndidi remarked. “We’ve talked about it; the guys are prepared. We don’t want to dwell on the past, but we are using it to ensure it doesn’t happen a second time. This is a new team, a good group, and we are ready for the challenge.”

Correcting the World Cup Heartbreak At AFCON

The stakes for Nigeria in this tournament extend beyond mere revenge. Following the Super Eagles’ shock failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the pressure to deliver a fourth continental title for the football-mad nation is immense. However, Ndidi was quick to downplay the weight of expectation.

“There’s no pressure on us, no pressure at all,” the captain insisted. “Missing out on the World Cup was painful, but this tournament is another opportunity to right those wrongs. The team is ready to achieve something special here.”

The narrative for Saturday’s AFCON encounter is simple: Qualification.

With both Nigeria and Tunisia having secured maximum points in their opening fixtures, a victory for either side will guarantee safe passage into the Round of 16.

For Nigeria, a win would not only secure progression but would serve as a definitive statement that the “Super Eagles” are back to their clinical best, finally exorcising the ghosts of their 2021 disappointment.