Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the Super Eagles following their hard-fought victory over Egypt to secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The match, held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, ended 0–0 after regulation time, leading to a tense penalty shootout where Nigeria triumphed 4–2.
“Come Home as Victors”
In a statement shared via his verified X handle, Peter Obi expressed deep pride in the team’s conduct and tenacity throughout the tournament in Morocco.
“Thank you for representing the Nigerian people. You fought with character, represented Nigeria with honour, and reminded us that progress is built through perseverance. The nation is proud of you. Come home as the victors that you are, and continue to soar high our dearest Super Eagles,” Obi wrote.
Match Highlights: Nwabali to the Rescue
The third-place playoff was a tactical stalemate, but the drama spiked during the shootout:
- The Hero: Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali solidified his legendary status this tournament by saving consecutive penalties from Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
- The Clincher: After a missed opening kick by Nigeria, clinical strikes from Akor Adams, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi set the stage for Ademola Lookman to slot home the decisive winning penalty.
- A Record Finish: This victory marks Nigeria’s ninth bronze medal in AFCON history—the most of any nation—maintaining their perfect 100% win record in third-place play-off matches.
The Road Traveled
While the Super Eagles fell short of the trophy after a heartbreaking semi-final penalty loss to hosts Morocco, their overall performance—including a dominant 2–0 quarter-final win over Algeria—has been widely praised as a revival of Nigerian footballing prowess.
