AFCON 2025 Review: Super Eagles Redeem Themselves with Ninth Bronze Medal

Posted : 19 January 2026

The Super Eagles’ campaign at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco was never expected to be easy.

Arriving in Fes under grey skies, the team carried the weight of public criticism, lingering disappointment from missing the North America-bound World Cup, and the uncertainty of a squad in transition. Talented yet unproven, proud yet bruised, this was a Nigeria side in search of identity.

Yet, as history often shows, football rewards those who rediscover themselves when the stakes are highest.

From the opening fixtures, Nigeria’s intent quietly emerged. The Eagles played with purpose rather than flair: Tanzania were subdued, Tunisia outmuscled, and Uganda swept aside. A side written off before kickoff began to rebuild confidence through discipline and collective effort.

What stood out was not just the results, but the team’s attitude. The Super Eagles played without fear, peeling away doubt with every tackle, sprint, and goal.

As the tournament progressed into the knockout stages, belief hardened into conviction. Mozambique were brushed aside, while Algeria, one of Africa’s most experienced sides, were outworked and outpaced by a Nigerian team playing with hunger rather than relying on reputation. By this point, the Super Eagles were no longer mere participants at AFCON 2025.

Head coach Eric Chelle captured the mood succinctly:

“The players were focused, brave, and united. We worked hard for this, and what we are building is beginning to show,” he said before the semi-final.

The semi-final in Rabat proved to be the campaign’s defining moment.

Facing host nation Morocco, Nigeria battled more than an opponent: a partisan crowd, intense pressure, and contentious officiating tested their resolve. Despite matching Morocco stride for stride over 120 minutes, the Eagles’ dreams of reaching the final were dashed in a penalty shootout. Morocco advanced. Nigeria absorbed the pain.

But the team’s character shone through in response.

Rather than succumb to disappointment, the Super Eagles were rallied from the highest level. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu publicly urged the team to respond with pride and finish strong.

They did exactly that.

In the third-place match, Nigeria displayed composure and authority, defeating seven-time champions Egypt to secure a record ninth AFCON bronze medal. The achievement carried weight beyond its colour — a medal forged from resilience rather than regret.

President Tinubu praised the team, describing it as a “bronze that feels like gold”:

“They remained undaunted. They fought for the badge, for the country, and for our collective pride,” he said.

Sports stakeholders echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of leadership and intentional support in the Eagles’ resurgence.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, highlighted the impact of presidential backing:

“From logistics to player welfare, everything was handled with intent. When athletes feel valued, it reflects in their performance.”

The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, commended the team’s mental strength, while Presidential Adviser on Information and Communication, Sunday Dare, described the AFCON campaign as a product of deliberate leadership recognizing sport as a tool for unity and national pride.

Analysts see the Eagles’ bronze medal as part of a broader reset in Nigerian sports, reflected in renewed support for teams such as D’Tigress and Super Falcons.

For the Super Eagles, AFCON 2025 may not have ended with the ultimate prize, but it delivered something equally valuable: restored belief.

In Morocco, Nigeria did not just compete; they rediscovered their identity and reminded the nation and continent that the Eagles still know how to rise.

AFCON 2025 Review: Super Eagles Redeem Themselves with Ninth Bronze Medal

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