Nigeria Secure Record Ninth AFCON Bronze Amid Defensive Drama

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have wrapped up their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco with a hard-earned bronze medal, but the road to third place was anything but smooth. From defensive frailties to captaincy changes and controversial refereeing, the tournament was a rollercoaster ride for both the team and their passionate fans.

On January 17, 2026, the Super Eagles clinched a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia, securing their place in the round of 16. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman all found the back of the net, putting Nigeria firmly in the driver’s seat. Yet, the closing minutes of that match saw Nigeria’s defense buckle under pressure, conceding two late goals that almost let Tunisia back into the contest. The final whistle brought relief—and a wave of criticism.

The statistics were hard to ignore. According to Opta Nigeria, “The Super Eagles of Nigeria have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 consecutive matches. They have also conceded in each of their last 4 AFCON matches (today inclusive).” Fans took to social media to vent their frustration. OluDee wrote, “Defence is the Achilles heel of the present Super Eagles, same reason they will be watching the World Cup at home. I can say emphatically that they can’t win this AFCON. A gentle breeze of attack on that defence and they will crumble like a pack of cards.”

Others zeroed in on the lack of composure and sharpness at the back. Obi lamented, “The Super Eagles defence is so poor, very poor, they can’t even make split decisions and are so slow to balls.” Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali wasn’t spared either, with BöD£ posting, “Best of the Super Eagles I’ve watched in years, disappointed we conceded two and invited unnecessary pressure. That should never have been a penalty. Nwabali remains a big issue, very poor collecting crosses, we definitely need another GK. Loads of positives attack wise.”

Despite the defensive woes, Nigeria pressed on. The round of 16 clash against Uganda on January 20, 2026, was circled as a crucial test. By then, the Super Eagles had already shown their attacking prowess but left pundits and supporters alike wondering if their offense could continue to compensate for persistent lapses at the back. Deco summed up a key moment: “Super Eagles were balling and controlling the game until Nwabali’s mistake, now see the way Tunisia players are mounting serious pressure on our defence.”

Anthony Abakporo added another layer, questioning the penalty decision but emphasizing the need for defensive improvement: “The Super Eagles Defence needs a lot of Improvement. Though that wasn’t supposed to be a penalty. North Africans are known fighters for their right. Victor Osimhen should have done the same to win his first goal, but he protested the wrong way.”

For all the criticism, there was also a sense of pride in the team’s resilience and attacking intent. Ìmọlẹ captured the mood: “There’s something wrong with Super Eagles defence. To concede 2 goals after scoring 3 is worrisome. Definitely going far in this tournament, the core of the focus should be the defence line as scoring has not always been the problem.”

As the tournament progressed, leadership changes added another twist. Wilfred Ndidi, who had missed the 2023 AFCON due to injury, was handed the captain’s armband following William Troost-Ekong’s retirement from international football. The Besiktas midfielder played four matches, missing the group game against Uganda for rest, the semi-final against Morocco due to suspension, and the third-place match against Egypt because of injury. Still, he led the team to Nigeria’s ninth AFCON bronze medal—a record, as the Super Eagles have never lost a third-place match in the competition’s storied history.

Ndidi’s message to Nigerians was heartfelt. On Instagram, he wrote, “Dear NIGERIANS, As we conclude this tournament, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. Finishing third is not what we aimed for, but unfortunately, our best was not good enough this time but yet, we are still proud of the efforts of the Team and the love from the Fans. As the proud Captain of this Team, I'll like to thank you all for your encouragement has been invaluable to us every step of the way. Your cheers and presence in the stands and at Home fueled our passion and determination. We felt your energy, and it pushed us to give our best on the field. We may not have taken home the trophy this time, but your belief in us means everything. We are committed to learning from this experience and coming back stronger next time. To the Fans, thank you for being the incredible fans that you are. To the Team, don't rest in your laurels. Together, we will rise to new challenges and strive for greatness. SOAR EAGLES, SOAR!!!”

Midfield maestro Alex Iwobi also drew praise for his creativity and leadership in Morocco. Head coach Éric Chelle lauded him, saying, “Alex Iwobi is a player that smells football. His [game] IQ is very high and I am really proud of him.” Iwobi’s ability to link up with Osimhen and Lookman was crucial in Nigeria’s attacking play, and his growing influence off the pitch was noted through his popular YouTube channel, where he chronicled the team’s journey.

The wider AFCON tournament, however, was not without controversy. Refereeing standards came under fire, with the final between Morocco and Senegal on January 19, 2026, described as a farce after a legitimate Senegal goal was disallowed and a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, momentarily led his team off the field in protest, only for captain Sadio Mané to persuade them to return. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) faced mounting pressure to address the decline in officiating quality, especially after the high standards set at the previous edition.

Beyond the pitch, Morocco’s world-class stadiums and pristine playing surfaces drew rave reviews, but the cold, rainy weather was a dampener for players and officials unused to such conditions. For the hosts, the AFCON final loss to Senegal meant their title drought stretched past 50 years, with manager Walid Regragui urging patience and continued faith in the Atlas Lions.

There were bright spots for other teams as well. Mali’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, was commended for his tactical acumen, even though his side fell to Senegal in the quarter-finals. The tournament’s overall quality, despite the refereeing missteps and weather woes, showcased African football’s enduring passion and talent.

As the dust settles, Nigeria’s Super Eagles can look back on a campaign that tested their resolve and exposed their weaknesses, but also highlighted the promise of a new generation led by Ndidi and inspired by Iwobi’s flair. With a record ninth bronze medal in hand and an eye on future challenges, the team will be eager to shore up their defense and build on the attacking strengths that thrilled their fans across the continent.

With the next AFCON on the horizon and World Cup qualifiers looming, the Super Eagles know exactly where they must improve. But if there’s one thing this tournament proved, it’s that Nigerian football’s spirit remains unbreakable—come rain, controversy, or late-game drama.