The Federal Government has expressed solidarity with the Super Eagles following their elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the team’s performance throughout the tournament as a source of national pride despite their semi-final exit.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the players for representing Nigeria with distinction, emphasising that their display of character, teamwork and resilience had earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
“Nigeria remains proud of you,” Idris said, adding that the Super Eagles had embodied the values associated with the national colours through their conduct and fighting spirit on the continental stage.
The minister stressed that the team’s effort and commitment held significance beyond the final scoreline, noting that their performance reflected qualities deeply valued by the nation.
“Even in defeat, you showed character, teamwork and resilience, and those qualities matter deeply to the nation you represent,” Idris stated.
He described the green and white jersey as a symbol of courage, unity and perseverance, adding that the Super Eagles had reminded Nigerians that representing the country transcends match outcomes.
“You reminded us that wearing the green and white is about courage, unity and never giving up. Football has its highs and lows, but your effort and commitment throughout this tournament have earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians at home and abroad,” the minister said.
Idris urged the team to maintain their unity, learn from the experience and return stronger, assuring the players of unwavering national support.
“Hold your heads high, stay united and return stronger. Nigeria is grateful for the joy and hope you gave us during this competition, and the nation stands with you, always,” he added.
The Super Eagles’ campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came to an end on Wednesday evening after they lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The semi-final match had ended goalless after 120 minutes of play, including extra time, forcing the tie to be decided from the penalty spot.
The encounter was keenly contested, though Morocco dominated possession and attacking opportunities, registering 16 shots compared to Nigeria’s two throughout the match. Despite the disparity in offensive output, both teams were kept in contention by exceptional goalkeeping performances from Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.
Nigeria’s star forwards, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, struggled to penetrate Morocco’s defence throughout the match. The hosts’ defensive organisation proved resolute, limiting the Super Eagles’ attacking threats and ultimately securing passage to the final through the penalty shootout.
The semi-final exit marks another near-miss for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament the country has won three times in its history. The Super Eagles claimed continental glory in 1980, 1994 and 2013, but have not reached the final since finishing as runners-up in 2013.
Nigeria’s most recent appearance in an AFCON final came during the 2013 edition held in South Africa, where they defeated Burkina Faso 1–0 to lift the trophy. Since then, the team has endured mixed fortunes at subsequent tournaments, including third-place finishes in 2019 and 2021.
The 2025 edition, hosted by Morocco, represented another opportunity for the Super Eagles to end that drought and claim a fourth continental title. The team had progressed through the group stages and knockout rounds with performances that generated optimism among Nigerian supporters, making the semi-final exit particularly disappointing.
Morocco’s advancement to the final continues the host nation’s impressive run in the tournament. The North African side, who finished fourth at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, have been buoyed by strong home support and will now compete for the AFCON title on home soil.
The government’s statement of support comes amid broader discussions about the development of Nigerian football and the resources allocated to the national team. While the Super Eagles remain one of Africa’s most successful national sides historically, recent years have seen debates about infrastructure, coaching stability and player welfare.
The minister’s emphasis on character and resilience appears aimed at acknowledging the challenges faced by the team while maintaining public morale. Football holds significant cultural importance in Nigeria, with national team performances often viewed as a source of unity and collective identity in a diverse nation of over 200 million people.
The Super Eagles’ performance at the 2025 AFCON also attracted attention from prominent Nigerian footballers. Reports indicate that Barcelona Femení forward Asisat Oshoala questioned the Confederation of African Football’s focus on Morocco and called for Nigeria to lead efforts toward co-hosting future editions of the tournament, though the Federal Government’s statement made no reference to such proposals.
Fans also praised the performance of defender Calvin Bassey during the semi-final clash with Morocco, highlighting individual displays of quality even in defeat.
