‘No pressure’: Ndidi sets calm tone as Super Eagles prepare for battle against Tanzania

Super Eagles skipper Wilfred Ndidi has played down any sense of pressure in the Nigerian camp, insisting the atmosphere is calm, focused, and positive ahead of their opening match at the 2025 1XBET Africa Cup of Nations against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on Tuesday.

Speaking before the Group C encounter on Monday, Ndidi said the players are mentally prepared and united as they look to begin their campaign on a strong note.

“The spirit in the camp is very high, we’re very energised. This game is very important for us, it’s the game that sets the momentum. The guys are ready, everyone is ready, from the players to the staff, everyone is focused on this game,” Wilfred Ndidi said in his pre-match press conference.

Nigeria approach the clash with an impressive record at the AFCON group stage, having suffered just one defeat in their last 14 matches, recording 10 wins and three draws. The Super Eagles have also avoided defeat in their opening fixtures in each of the last three editions of the tournament.

Their opponents, Tanzania, are appearing at the AFCON finals for only the fourth time. The Taifa Stars are yet to record a win in 10 matches at the competition and have lost all three of their previous opening games at the tournament.

Ndidi was recently named Super Eagles captain following the international retirement of William Troost-Ekong. Despite the responsibility, the Besiktas midfielder says he feels no added burden, pointing to the collective support within the squad and technical crew.

“To be honest, there’s no pressure. We’ve got senior players in the team helping out, with the help of the coach and staffs. I’ve been here learning from the former captain Troost-Ekong so there’s no pressure at all.”

Nigeria go into the tournament with unfinished business after finishing as runners-up at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where they lost to the hosts in the final. Ndidi believes that experience has strengthened the team’s resolve to aim higher this time.

“There are lots of lessons learnt from the previous AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire. We set the standard getting to the final, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the trophy. We cannot go below that. The standards are already high so the team is ready for that. This is an opportunity for us.”

While the Super Eagles are widely regarded as favorites against Tanzania, Ndidi warned against complacency, stressing that every team at the tournament deserves respect.

“Every country that has qualified for the AFCON cannot be underrated. They’re capable of competing for the trophy. We as Nigerians are here to contend, not just to compete.”

He also highlighted the motivation driving the squad as they chase a fourth continental crown.

“The inspiration comes from the team and from Nigerians, what we’ve gone through before and what we’re expecting now. The inspiration is what we have at hand and what we’re going to do. We’re focused on this AFCON, and we’ll see what is next.”

Nigeria will begin their 2025 1XBET AFCON campaign against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès by 6:30 pm. The other Group C match, featuring Tunisia and Uganda, will take place later at 9:00 pm at the Stade Olympique de Rabat.

NB: You can watch the video of Ndidi speaking to the press here.