- Salomon Kalou says Ivory Coast is the only team that can stop Nigeria AFCON 2025 victory.
- Nigeria AFCON 2025 confidence rises as Nwabali insists the Super Eagles are ready for revenge.
- Kalou reminds fans that Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria in the 2023 AFCON final.
- He says winning for your country feels better than any club success.
Former Chelsea forward and Ivorian legend Salomon Kalou has stirred a fresh rivalry ahead of AFCON 2025, claiming that the only nation capable of stopping Nigeria from lifting the trophy is Ivory Coast. His comment comes after Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali confidently declared that Nigeria is ready to return stronger and win the tournament next year.
Kalou’s remark was a direct response to Stanley Nwabali’s recent statement expressing complete belief in Nigeria’s chances of winning the next tournament. The goalkeeper admitted that the memory of losing the last final serves as motivation for the Super Eagles to go all the way in 2025.
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Nigeria and Ivory Coast faced off in the 2023 AFCON final, where the Elephants defeated the Super Eagles 2–1 in front of a packed stadium in Abidjan. Nwabali hinted that the defeat still burns in the mind of every player and that the team is determined not to repeat the same mistake. But Kalou thinks otherwise.
Speaking on SuperSport, the Ivorian said Nigeria’s path to glory will only be free if they avoid Ivory Coast, insisting that the reigning champions remain the biggest threat.
Reflecting on Ivory Coast’s victory, Kalou explained the emotional high of winning for one’s nation, especially with home supporters behind you.
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“It is a great feeling to win, especially when you win at home, in front of your people, the whole stadium. No feeling beats that,” he said. He added that winning for your country carries a different kind of pride that cannot be compared to club success in Europe.
The Super Eagles will enter AFCON 2025 as one of the favourites, but Kalou’s warning has now added a new level of anticipation, especially if both countries cross paths again.
