Kalou Teases Nwabali: ‘Nigeria Must Avoid Ivory Coast to Win AFCON’

Former Chelsea star and Ivorian legend Salomon Kalou has jokingly advised Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali that Nigeria’s best chance of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is to steer clear of Ivory Coast.

Nwabali recently expressed confidence that Nigeria could win their fourth AFCON title after narrowly losing 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 final. The Chippa United goalkeeper said the team is motivated to go one better this time.

Reacting on SuperSport, Kalou laughed off Nwabali’s optimism, saying, “For Nigeria to win, maybe they need to avoid Ivory Coast.” He went on to praise the Elephants’ fighting spirit and passion during their triumphant campaign, describing winning on home soil as an unmatched feeling.

Kalou said:

It is a great feeling to win especially when you win at home, in front of your people… no feeling can beat that…. Winning for your country is something different. It doesn’t touch close to winning for your club in Europe.

The former international also reflected on his own joy of lifting the trophy in 2015. “When we won in 2015, we came to the airport and stayed there for like 3–4 hours just celebrating with our people,” he recalled.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania as they chase a fourth continental crown to equal Ghana’s record.

Beyond AFCON, the Super Eagles remain focused on securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon in the playoff stage. Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to announce his squad soon for the decisive fixtures.