Ian Joy names Nigeria AFCON 2025 dark horses, praising the Super Eagles’ talent and potential despite a mixed World Cup qualifying campaign

Former professional footballer and CBS Sports analyst Ian Joy has tipped Nigeria as dark horses to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the Super Eagles as “the one to watch,” Bauchi, 30 December 2025.

Also read: South Africa Beats Zimbabwe 3–2 to Reach AFCON 2025 Knockout Stage

The Scottish-American broadcaster, who played for clubs including FC St. Pauli and Portland Timbers, highlighted Nigeria’s talent pool despite the team’s underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign.

“A big surprise right now and the one to watch from my perspective is Nigeria. They haven’t played very well but they’re winning games and they’ve got unbelievably talented players,” Joy told CBS Sports.

“No one is talking about Nigeria which is insane and obviously, understandably so, they’ve been largely disappointing through World Cup qualifying and to where they’re at right now but they’ve got the talent to win it.”

Joy’s endorsement comes after Nigeria secured a 3-2 victory over Tunisia to record successive Group C wins, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Wilfred Ndidi on the scoresheet.

The 43-year-old, who represented the United States at youth level and captained the USA U-18s at the World Youth Games in Moscow in 1998, has become a prominent football broadcaster since retiring in 2011.

Nigeria boasts back-to-back African Player of the Year winners in Victor Osimhen (2023) and Ademola Lookman (2024), alongside rising talents such as Alex Iwobi, who contributed two assists in the victory over Tanzania.

Also read: Greenwood tips Nigeria, Morocco for AFCON final clash

The Super Eagles face Uganda in their final Group C match on Tuesday as they chase a fourth AFCON crown.