By Adejola Adeyemi Crown
The Southern Governors’ Forum has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team secured the bronze medal.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the Eagles’ showing at the tournament as a demonstration of courage, resilience, and national pride.
In a statement issued after the competition, Governor Abiodun praised the team for playing some of the most exciting and dominant football at the tournament.
He noted that the Super Eagles went unbeaten in regulation time throughout the competition, winning all their matches except the semi-final, which was decided by penalties.
He highlighted Nigeria’s impressive record in the tournament, saying the team scored the highest number of goals in the group stage and did not concede any goal in the knockout rounds before the semi-final.
Governor Abiodun also applauded the Eagles for their resilience, especially their emphatic victory over Egypt in the third-place match, despite the perceived unfair officiating during the semi-final clash with Morocco.
He further expressed concern over what he described as the controversial handling of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali’s towel and the hostility of the home crowd during the semi-final.
“Members of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Nigerians from every corner of our great nation are immensely proud of these brave Eagles,” the governor said.
“They were not defeated in regulation time by any team. But for officiating decisions that dampened morale, they would have stood tall in the final. Yet, they rose above adversity and finished strong, with dignity and honour.”
Governor Abiodun said the Super Eagles restored the joy, flair and fearlessness that once defined Nigerian football, adding that the team gave Nigerians renewed hope and pride.
“They dazzled us. They fought for every ball. They reminded the world of the Super Eagles of old—free-flowing, fearless, creative, and ruthlessly clinical. They gave Nigerians something priceless: hope and pride,” he said.
He also acknowledged that although the trophy narrowly eluded the team, their exit on penalties showed how fine the margins of football can be.
“Yes, they did not lift the cup, but penalties can swing either way. What truly matters is the heart they showed, the unity they displayed, and the belief they restored in our national team,” he added.
Governor Abiodun concluded by expressing optimism about the future, saying the Super Eagles and head coach Eric Chelle have laid a solid foundation for greater success ahead.
“Our Eagles have spoken with their feet. The future is bright, and Nigeria will rise again on the continental and global stage,” he said.
