AFCON 2025: Super Eagles legend identifies key factor behind Nigeria’s Free-Flowing Football

Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami has attributed Nigeria’s impressive performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to the exceptional quality of football pitches in the host nation Morocco.

Nigeria have been in good form throughout the tournament, winning all four of their matches so far as they chase a fourth AFCON title.

Their latest outing, a commanding 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 was their biggest win of the competition and also delivered their first clean sheet.

With 12 goals scored, the three-time African champions currently sit as the highest-scoring team at AFCON 2025.

While much of the praise has gone to head coach Eric Chelle for his tactical organisation, Odegbami believed the real difference lies beneath the players’ feet specifically, the immaculate playing surfaces in Morocco.

“What made the difference for a group of great players that have struggled for years to find their rhythm and win even the easiest matches at home?” Odegbami asked.

He added, “The answer is so simple it’s almost too good to be true.”

According to the 1980 AFCON winner, Morocco’s investment in elite stadium infrastructure has allowed top players to express themselves fully.

“While several factors contribute to the scintillating performances in Morocco, the single most important, yet least acknowledged, is the immaculate playing surface,” he explained.

He continued, “Morocco has invested in constructing some of the best football pitches in the world lush green, perfectly flat, manicured grass fields that provide the ideal surface for top players to showcase their skills.”

Odegbami stressed that the high standards are not limited to one venue, pointing to uniform pitch quality across the host nation.

“These pitches are all over Morocco. They do not have, or tolerate, a single patch of uneven grass surface, making every move and every pass a work of art.”

The Super Eagles will face Algeria in the quarterfinals on Saturday.