Former Leeds United defender Dylan Kerr has claimed Nigeria’s Super Eagles are not good enough to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Dylan Kerr, who also managed South African club Kaizer Chiefs, believes the Super Eagles’ recent struggles before AFCON reveal fundamental weaknesses, despite their flawless start in Morocco.
Nigeria advanced from the group stage with a perfect record, winning all three of their matches and establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s early frontrunners. However, Kerr argues that this impressive run masks deeper issues that could be exposed in the knockout rounds.
Nigeria’s chances of winning AFCON 2025 heavily scrutinised
The 58-year-old highlighted Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a key indicator that the team lacks the consistency needed to win major championships.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles celebrate vs Tanzania. || Imago
“Nigeria should have a good team, but they didn’t qualify outright for the World Cup, so something must not be good on the side of their game,” Kerr explained to Flashscore.
When questioned why a team with a 100% record couldn’t go on to win the tournament, he added, “Not really, the good run in the group stage puts them under pressure because they have won all of them.
Usually, the teams that struggle end up making the semi-finals and final.”
Eric Chelle’s men are set to face Mozambique in the Round of 16.
Commenting on the upcoming fixture, Kerr predicted a difficult game for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
“You never know. It will be a tough game and can go either way. I fancy Mozambique to give Nigeria a good game.”
Historically, the Super Eagles have the upper hand, unbeaten in five previous encounters with Mozambique, with four wins and one draw.