10 Takeaways From AFCON 2025

10 Takeaways From AFCON 2025

1. This was Nigeria's best tournament in recent years. I don't even care that we didn't win it. The way we played, the intensity, the belief, everything about this team felt different. We actually looked like a team that knew what they were doing. Eric Chelle deserves all his flowers for that. I hope we keep him for some years more, and I pray he stays.

2. I really wanted Osimhen to win the golden boot as consolation for his "we die here energy in this tournament. But when I saw he wasn't included in the third place match, my heart sank. I know it was probably because of his injury, but man, that golden boot would have been sweet.😋

3. The Morocco vs Senegal final was poetic in the most beautiful and tragic way. The Senegalese team who conceded a penalty and was visibly angry and heartbroken about it, so much so that they walked out of the pitch, ended up saving the penalty, scoring a fantastic goal and winning the match. And then there's Diaz, who had been absolutely exceptional the entire tournament, carrying Morocco on his back, only to miss the most important penalty of his life in the final minute of the final. Football is a wicked sport.

4. About that disallowed goal for Morocco. Look, I agree the push on Hakimi was soft. Very soft. In fact, if we're being honest, it probably shouldn't have been enough to cancel the goal. But there was a push. The referee saw it, blew his whistle before the goal was even scored, so there was no way that goal was ever going to stand. VAR checked it, didn't see it as a clear and obvious error, so they didn't call the referee over. That's how it works. I understand the frustration, but the process was followed.

5. The penalty Morocco got for the pull on Diaz was the right call. I know Senegal fans and a lot of Senegal supporters from around the world are still vex about it, but that was a clear foul inside the box. VAR saw it as a clear and obvious error, called the referee over, and he awarded the penalty. Even though I understand the emotional turmoil that followed, I didn't see anything wrong with the decision itself. Rules are rules.

6. Diaz should thank his stars he's not from Nigeria. Can you imagine a Nigerian player attempting a panenka in the final minute of an AFCON final? Against a goalkeeper known for saving panenkas because he doesn't dive anyhow? He for regret ever agreeing to play in this tournament at all. And the panenka was even weak sef. Like, bro, this was the time to kick that ball like your entire country was squeezing your balls. Not time for fancy football.
Imagine being that talented, carrying your team all tournament, only to fumble at the final hurdle with an arrogant penalty. It's heartbreaking.

7. Sadio Mane has officially earned his place among Africa's all time greats. The man has done it all. Premier League winner. Champions League winner. AFCON winner twice. And the leadership he showed in that final when he started calling his teammates back to the pitch after they'd walked off in protest, and they all listened immediately, that's influence. That's respect. I love him so much, and I'm happy he won Best player of the tournament.

8. I genuinely enjoyed this AFCON. I watched almost all the matches and didn't regret a single one. The quality of play was high, the drama was over the roof, and for once, it felt like African football was being taken seriously by everyone involved. Organization was great. Officiating could use a little polishing though. But ultimately, this tournament delivered.

9. Egypt's journey to the semi finals was impressive. They didn't play any fantastic football all through the tournament, but they always found a way to win, and it got them far enough.

10. Finally, this AFCON reminded me why I love football. The highs, the lows, the heartbreak, the joy, the chaos. It's all part of the experience. And African football, with all its madness and challenges, is some of the most entertaining football in the world. Long may it continue.

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