The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, says the Super Eagles are on course to achieve “great things” under head coach Éric Chelle, following Nigeria’s impressive showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Gusau expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the tournament — where Nigeria finished third and secured the bronze medal — despite missing out on their pre-tournament objective of lifting the title. He highlighted the resilience, patriotic fervour and character shown by the squad throughout the competition, saying those qualities underscore a bright future for the national team.
The NFF president also credited the support from the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, as a key factor in the Super Eagles’ strong campaign. He praised Chelle’s impact since taking over the team, pointing to Nigeria’s unbeaten run in regulation time across several competitive matches and the tactical evolution under the Franco-Malian coach.
Gusau noted that while the team missed their ultimate target at AFCON 2025, their performance provided a foundation to build on for future competitions, with preparations for upcoming challenges already underway.
EDITORIAL
In the theatre of international football, progress is seldom linear it is more often an accretion of belief, consistency and cultural identity. What Ibrahim Musa Gusau — President of the Nigeria Football Federation — articulated in his praise of the Super Eagles is not mere optimism, but a considered recognition of a team that has, at last, begun to weave coherence into its fabric after a period of turbulence.
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The Super Eagles’ journey at AFCON 2025 was far from flawless — they arrived in Morocco with the ambition of lifting the title, only to settle for bronze after a penalty shootout triumph over Egypt. Yet, what matters in football’s broader narrative is not only trophies, but evidence of collective growth. In Morocco, this Nigerian side displayed character, tactical discipline and an attacking verve that belied the scars of recent disappointments on the World Cup stage.
Gusau’s emphasis on the team’s zest and patriotic fervour captures a deeper truth that football, for nations like Nigeria, is woven into national consciousness. It is about resilience in adversity and purpose in unity. The squad’s seven games without defeat in regulation at AFCON a testament to Chelle’s stewardship — signals a level of maturity that was absent in past campaigns. In football’s agonising dance between expectation and reality, these are the moments that shape belief more than any single result.
The president’s acknowledgment of institutional support — from government agencies to technical staff — underscores that success in football is reciprocated investment ambition met with structure. For a country that breathes football with a fevered intensity, this confluence of leadership, support and performance nurtures the kind of momentum capable of yielding genuine greatness.
Yet the truest measure of this era will not be counted only in medals or rankings but in the continuity of the vision that now seems to be taking root. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, guided by Chelle and championed by Gusau, appear poised not for a fleeting renaissance, but for a sustained elevation — one grounded in performance, pride and purpose.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Nigeria scored a tournament-high 14 goals at AFCON 2025, their most in a single edition of the competition.
- Under Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles remained unbeaten in regulation time across 18 competitive matches since his appointment.
- Nigeria finished on the AFCON podium for the 17th time in 21 appearances, maintaining a strong continental record.
- Several key players missed parts of the AFCON tournament due to injury, yet the team still achieved a bronze medal, highlighting squad depth.
- The Federal Government of Nigeria officially applauded the Super Eagles after the bronze medal win, with President Tinubu calling it a “bronze that feels like gold.”
