African football legend Yaya Touré has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the most impressive team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, despite their campaign ending in a semi-final defeat. Touré praised Nigeria’s attacking style, goal output and overall performances throughout the tournament, saying they stood out above other contenders.
In his assessment, the former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder highlighted Nigeria’s 14 goals, more than any other side at the tournament, and their strong defensive record before the semi-final loss to hosts Morocco. He commended their ability to score freely while maintaining structure and consistency during matches.
Touré, a two-time African Footballer of the Year and AFCON winner, likened the Eagles’ style of play to that of an attacking, expressive team that knew its identity on the pitch, adding that several players showcased impressive quality as the competition progressed.
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Despite falling short of the final, Nigeria went on to secure the bronze medal, defeating Egypt 4–2 on penalties in the third-place playoff, a result that marked a strong overall showing for the three-time African champions.
EDITORIAL
In a tournament defined by contrasting philosophies and tactical narratives, Yaya Touré’s endorsement of the Super Eagles as the “most impressive team” at AFCON 2025 resonates with both authority and insight. Touré is not merely an observer he is a steward of African football’s collective memory, a midfielder whose own legacy was forged in the same crucible that tests contemporary teams. His plaudit for Nigeria captures something deeper than results — it acknowledges character, style and ambition writ large on the continental stage.
Nigeria’s campaign in Morocco was marked by an unashamed attacking verve. Fourteen goals the highest tally in the competition — were not the product of happenstance but of a coherent identity that blended fluidity with intent. In an era where tournaments often descend into conservative caution, the Eagles dared to play, to express, to pursue territory with conviction. Their group stage, a flawless march of wins, foreshadowed a trajectory that promised more than fleeting brilliance it hinted at a team beginning to forge a lasting imprint.
Touré’s praise also acknowledges the psychological dimension of Nigeria’s play a team unafraid to seize initiative, to seek out opponents rather than merely respond. Yet football is unforgiving in its arithmetic despite their pedigree in attack and the admiration of luminaries like Touré, they exited in the semi-final on fine margins. This is the cruel beauty of tournament football dominance can still yield disappointment. But label Nigeria’s journey “impressive,” and Touré’s point resonates it was a performance steeped in ambition.
Their eventual bronze-medal finish was not a consolation but a statement of resilience. It reflected a collective ethos that refused to be subdued by the weight of expectation or the sting of defeat. What emerges from this chapter is not merely a statistic but an invitation to consider the Super Eagles not as a team of the moment but as a side with an evolving identity — assertive, expressive and capable of redefining the contours of African football’s future. In Touré’s eyes, and indeed in the memory of those who witnessed it, this Nigeria side did more than compete they set the standard others will seek to emulate.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Nigeria scored more goals than any other team at AFCON 2025 with 14 strikes, showcasing a potent attacking approach.
- The Super Eagles remained unbeaten in regulation time until their semi-final exit to Morocco, reinforcing their consistency throughout the tournament.
- Former internationals like Mohamed Aboutrika also rated Nigeria highly, calling them among the strongest teams at AFCON 2025.
- Under coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria combined tactical discipline with attacking freedom, contributing to their dynamic performances.
- Nigeria finished AFCON 2025 with a bronze medal, their ninth in the tournament’s history, after winning the third-place playoff on penalties.
