AFCON 2025 Draw (LIVE UPDATES): Stage set as Super Eagles await group stage opponents

All eyes are on Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the Final Draw for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 takes centre stage tonight at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.

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The tournament, set to run from 21 December to 18 January 2026, promises high-stakes drama and fierce competition.

Super Eagles in Pot 1

As three-time AFCON champions, Nigeria has been seeded in Pot 1 alongside African heavyweights like hosts Morocco, record seven-time champions Egypt, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, and 2021 champions Senegal.

Representing Nigeria at the draw are Head Coach Éric Chelle, Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor, and NFF Technical Committee Chairman Rabiu Inuwa.

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Permutations

The Super Eagles could reignite their storied rivalry with Cameroon, who famously defeated Nigeria in three AFCON finals (1984, 1988, and 2000). A potential matchup against Mali would also be emotionally charged for Coach Chelle, a Franco-Malian, as he leads Nigeria against his home country. Mali, a team rich in young talent, could pose a significant challenge.

AFCON record

Nigeria’s AFCON record is among the best, with 16 medals from 20 appearances, including three titles (1980, 1994, 2013). Their consistency and depth make them perennial contenders, with fans hopeful for another triumphant campaign.

What to expect from the draw

The 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing.

Morocco, as hosts, automatically occupies position A1.

The draw, featuring performances by international artists and appearances by African football legends, will be broadcast live to over 90 countries.

PREMIUM TIMES will also provide LIVE UPDATES as the Super Eagles await their group-stage opponents.

Stay tuned for live updates as the draw unfolds tonight at 7 p.m.

Pot 1: Morocco (hosts), Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions)

Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso

Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin

Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

The excitement is building as the continent eagerly awaits the AFCON 2025 Draw ceremony in Rabat this evening.

Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle has arrived in Rabat for tonight’s draw.

Nigeria vs Mali is a likely option in the group stage as both countries are in different pots…

That would be an interesting tie to look out for

**Eric Chelle is in the house ( Credit Super Eagles X Page)**

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), along with Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and the Local Organizing Committee, have announced the six host cities and nine stadiums for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025.

The tournament will take place from 21 December to 18 January 2026 in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.

Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo is among the draw assistants tonight.

Yobo was the captain of Nigeria’s last AFCON winning team.

The Super Eagles last won the AFCON trophy in 2013 in South Africa.

**Joseph Yobo (Photo Credit: Cafonline X Page)**

The draw kicked off in grand style with a breathtaking cultural performance by Moroccan artist Nouamane Lahlou, showcasing the nation’s rich heritage and unity with Africa.

Hosts Djimon Hounsou and Nabila Kilani introduce the event, highlighting the journey to AFCON 2025 and the significance of tonight’s draw.

The AFCON is returning to Morocco after they last hosted in 1988

Opening remarks delivered by The Morracan Football Federation

Opening remarks delivered by The Morracan Football Federation President

The crowd and other legends at the Mohammed V National Theatre are being treated to another electrifying performance by Gims: A global superstar representing African creativity…

The coaches are being sampled to see if there are any teams they would love to avoid in this group stage. The coach of Cote d’Ivoire says he wants to defend the title in Morocco while Egypt’s manager says they will be gunning for an unprecedented eighth title

The Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle admits it will be a difficult tournament to win in Morocco

It is not just about football, tonight’s has a fair share of entertainment… The time is set for another musical performance, this time by Redone

Records were broken at the last AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire with a combined viewership of over 1 billion. Morocco is expected to surpass these numbers.

Morocco has won the AFCON tournament just once since 1976, the North Africans are hoping they host and win this year

CAF President Patrice Motsepe makes his brief remarks before the main action of the draws begins.

A rundown of the 24 teams that will be participating in the AFCON 2025 is being shown to the audience

Four African legends Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé, Joseph Yobo, and Mustapha Hadji will be conducting tonight’s draw. The iconic players will not only pull the draw balls but also share insights into the groups formed

Super Eagles will do one better in Morocco after losing in the final last year says Joseph Yobo

The draw procedure is now being explained….

Here we go: Group A: Morocco, Comoros
Morocco will play Comoros in the opening game of AFCON 2025

Group A: Morocco, Zambia Comoros

Group B: Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C: Uganda, Tanzania

Group D: Benin, Botswana

Group E: Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F: Gabon, Mozambique

The groupings updated..

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia Comoros

Group B: South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe