The Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, widely hailed as one of the best organised editions, also presented several controversial moments that drew criticism. While the infrastructure and quality of football were commendable, certain incidents cast a shadow over the event. The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national team, displayed a promising performance throughout the tournament, growing in confidence match by match. A former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju, provided insights into the team’s progress and the tournament’s shortcomings. Adepoju believes the Super Eagles’ World Cup journey adequately prepared the coach for AFCON, allowing him to better understand his players and implement effective tactical changes. He emphasized that the entire team, from goalkeeper to attack, performed exceptionally well, refusing to single out individuals. The future of the Super Eagles, according to Adepoju, lies in building upon the current squad’s potential and nurturing the talent already playing for various clubs. What happened at AFCON 2025 that you did not like? Adepoju highlighted concerns beyond the organisation and infrastructure, particularly focusing on questionable officiating and the disruptive behaviour of some Moroccan fans towards goalkeepers. He specifically condemned the “towel episode,” where fans interfered with goalkeepers like Nwabali and the Senegalese keeper, creating a poor image for African football. The disrespect shown to the goalkeepers by fans entering the field of play and disturbing them was a significant issue. This behaviour, facilitated by stewards, was deemed unacceptable and detrimental to the sport’s reputation. Adepoju suggested that Nigerians can learn from Morocco’s organisational approach by focusing on intention, thorough organisation, and investing in first-grade infrastructure. The aim should be to surpass the standards set by Morocco in future tournaments. The tournament’s organisation received high marks for its infrastructure and drainage systems, ensuring playability even during heavy rains. However, the officiating decisions were a point of contention for many observers. The overall experience was a mix of impressive organisation and unfortunate incidents that detracted from the spectacle. The lessons learned from AFCON 2025 are crucial for the future development of African football. Focusing on these lessons can lead to even more successful and well-respected tournaments. Building a strong foundation is key to achieving long-term success in international football. The potential within the Nigerian team is evident and should be capitalised upon. The tournament provided valuable insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of African football.
