Awaziem Pledges Total Sacrifice for Super Eagles’ AFCON Quest

As the Super Eagles settle into their Fès training base in Morocco for AFCON 2025, Chidozie Awaziem has emerged as the voice of veteran leadership and absolute commitment. The FC Nantes defender, currently in the form of his life in Ligue 1, has made a startling declaration that has resonated across the Nigerian football community. Speaking with Elegbete TV just days before Nigeria’s Group C opener against Tanzania, Awaziem insisted that personal glory and positional comfort have no place in the current squad’s mission.

The 28-year-old center-back, who is entering his fourth AFCON tournament, took his dedication to an extreme level when discussing tactical flexibility under head coach Eric Chelle. In a lighthearted but firm moment, Awaziem stated that if the technical crew required him to suit up as a goalkeeper or lead the line as a striker, he would do so without hesitation. While he is naturally a central defender, his career has been defined by a “plug-and-play” versatility that has seen him excel at right-back and in defensive midfield roles.

Awaziem’s selfless stance comes at a critical juncture for the Nigerian defense following the recent international retirement of long-time captain William Troost-Ekong. With Troost-Ekong out and leadership roles shifting—Wilfred Ndidi has officially taken over the captain’s armband—Awaziem is now one of the elder statesmen in the locker room. He acknowledged the void left by his former partner but emphasized that the current group has learned enough from the outgoing captain to maintain their defensive integrity.

The defender is not just talking a big game; his recent performances suggest he is ready for the heavy lifting. Awaziem was a standout performer in Nigeria’s recent friendly against Egypt in Cairo, where he captained the side and scored the Super Eagles’ only goal in a 2-1 defeat. Despite the loss, he remains bullish about Nigeria’s chances, viewing the friendly as a vital laboratory for Coach Chelle to test new structures and integrate fresh faces like Ryan Alebiosu and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

This tournament holds a special weight for Awaziem, who was part of the bronze-medal winning squad in 2019 and the silver-medalists in 2023. Having come so close to continental glory in Côte d’Ivoire, he described the 2025 edition in Morocco as an opportunity for redemption. He noted that the pain of missing out on the 2026 World Cup still lingers in the team, making a fourth AFCON title for Nigeria not just a goal, but a debt they owe to the fans back home.

At club level, Awaziem has been nothing short of a statistical marvel this season for Nantes. He currently leads several defensive categories in France’s Ligue 1, recording the highest number of clearances and successful defensive actions across the league. This “renaissance,” as some European analysts call it, has transformed him from a reliable squad player into a dominant force that coach Eric Chelle will find difficult to leave on the bench when the tournament kicks off on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles find themselves in a competitive Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. The stakes are high, and the pressure from a football-mad nation is mounting. For Awaziem, the strategy is simple: put the team first, adapt to every tactical shift, and fight for the trophy that has eluded Nigeria since 2013. His readiness to “do the job” in any capacity is the kind of mental toughness the Super Eagles will need to navigate the grueling knockout stages in Morocco.

As the squad numbers were recently unveiled—with Awaziem maintaining his veteran presence—the focus shifts from training pitches to the Fès stadium. Nigeria enters the tournament as one of the favorites, but they carry the baggage of recent inconsistencies. Awaziem’s message of total sacrifice serves as a rallying cry, reminding his teammates that winning the AFCON requires more than just talent; it requires a willingness to be whatever the team needs at any given moment.